THE Furness Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called the process of turning 'perfectly viable' pubs into houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) 'unfortunate.'

CAMRA records pubs as permanently closed when planning permission change of use is granted.

Ann Summers-Glass, from the Furness branch, said: "This can mean that a pub can be shown in our records as long-term closed for some considerable time because the owner has not been granted permission to make any changes."

There are 408 licensed premises of varying types listed in the branch records, with 51 shown as either temporarily or long-term closed. 

There has only been a 'few changes' last year and this year, according to Camra. There are some pubs being refurbished but do not have a reopening date - such as The General Burgoyne in Great Urswick and the Black Cock in Broughton. 

The organisation is also aware of pubs that have closed because the owner wishes to retire but a sale has not taken place such as The Railway Inn in Askam, The Lord Nelson in Dalton and The Plough in Millom. 

The Plough, The Lord Nelson and The Railway Inn (clockwise) are examples of pubs that have been closed for some time without potential buyersThe Plough, The Lord Nelson and The Railway Inn (clockwise) are examples of pubs that have been closed for some time without potential buyers (Image: Google Maps)

"The longer a pub like that remains closed the more at risk it becomes," Mrs Summers-Glass said. She said pubs owned by breweries are 'at risk if they do not fit into their business plan.'

"The drive towards the conversion of perfectly viable pubs which have been left empty for far too long into HMOs is unfortunate," Mrs Summers-Glass said, adding that this is happening in Barrow in particular. 

In June, South Lakes Investments' plan to convert The Dirty Duck on Raglan Street into a 12-bedroom HMO was approved by Westmorland and Furness Council

CAMRA has the resources to help communities if they are concerned that their local is to be closed or changed to something else. 

"One of CAMRA's aims is to promote and protect pubs and clubs as social centres and part of the UK's cultural heritage," Mrs Summers-Glass said. "The loss of a pub can tear the heart of a community - as has been said many times 'the pub is the hub.'"