New buyers 'should be allowed to reopen pubs'

Updated laws would stop sellers restricting use of buildings

There shouldn't be restrictions to stop someone reopening a closed pub.

That's the view of the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Association after new licensing laws received their first reading in the House of Keys.

The proposals would prevent the owner of a property placing a covenant on the building, stopping it being reopened as a licensed premises by a new buyer.

Geoff Joughin says potential new licensees should be able to take over: