HARLOW MP, Robert Halfon, successfully backed the Golden Swift pub in Hare Street to become an Asset of Community Value. This means that it is now much harder for the pub to be sold or taken over by developers and it gives the local community would have a chance to buy the pub for themselves first.

Robert invited the Communities and Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones MP, to visit the Golden Swift yesterday to campaign with the Harlow Conservatives and congratulate the pub on their achievement in becoming an Asset of Community Value.

He spoke to staff, locals, and campaigners about what the Government is doing to help and support our local pubs. Also present for the visit was local community worker, Peter Lamb, who is standing as the Conservative Council Candidate for Hare Street and working hard for the area where he lives and works.

As well as introducing the Asset of Community Value classification, the Government is also freezing beer duty, reducing business rates and giving out grants that would support a community to buy out their local pub.

Robert Halfon said, “The Golden Swift pub is a brilliant community pub and I am very pleased for them. Carol and Bill, who run the pub and do a fantastic job there, not only running a great local pub but also providing services for the local community too.”