OWEN MEREDITH: 'Don't call time on local papers - they are vital to local communities'

A shake-up of pub licences to help struggling boozers could cause a painful hangover for local newspapers, a body of news groups is warning.

The News Media Association says one recommendation among other sensible ones, such as later licensing hours, could irretrievably damage local news publishers. Here its chief executive Owen Meredith argues why the requirement for licensing application notices to appear in local papers must stay...

The brilliant backing by the Mirror to secure support for our pubs is a shining example of the power of news media to campaign for our important ­community institutions. From the Covid lockdowns, the hikes in business rates and changing consumer behaviours – pubs and licensed premises have been hit hard in recent years.

READ MORE: Mirror demands Keir Starmer saves British pubs after 400 more closed last year

I have been a first-hand witness to the sad decline or closure of far too many, so I am genuinely thrilled the government has recognised the need for action to support these institutions. Whether it is catching up with friends over a pint, watching the highs and lows of the nation’s sports teams, or enjoying a Sunday roast after a busy week – we all know just how vital these establishments are to the soul of our communities.

Like pubs, local ­newspapers are facing an uphill battle to survive and continue serving their communities – and the two go hand in hand. Last week Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle launched the government’s consultation on reforming the licensing regime. It contains some very sensible proposals to support the hospitality sector.

But the suggestion to remove the statutory requirement for licensing application notices to appear in local papers is not one of them. This proposal would amount to a betrayal – not only of local papers and the essential role they play in informing the public, but also of the very ­community institutions like pubs that these notices often concern. Because make no mistake: pubs and papers are pillars of their communities. They are local hubs, rooted in place, fostering connection and acting as a glue that binds our neighbourhoods together.

Pubs are working harder than ever to appeal to a new generation of patrons – and many are succeeding, ­transforming themselves into vibrant, multifunctional venues that still keep that warm, inclusive pub feel. The same is true of newspapers. We have innovated to adapt to a changing world. Local publishers now reach more readers than ever before, not just through the printed page but through dynamic websites, newsletters, podcasts and social media.

Public notices are published in print and online through the Public Notice Portal, a free-to-access platform ­developed by the industry, with funding from Google, which ensures maximum visibility and reach. This is not about clinging to the past. It is about recognising the vital role that trusted local journalism plays in democratic life – and how it intersects with the success of places like local pubs. Removing licensing notices from local newspapers does not just hurt publishers – it shuts local people out of decisions that affect their daily lives.

These notices give residents the chance to have their say on new venues opening, changes to licensing hours, or proposed developments that may impact local amenities. Taking that away strips power from communities by shrouding them in secrecy, quietly eroding accountability in local decision-making. And for what?

A minor administrative tweak dressed up as a cost-saving measure, but which in truth will deliver ­negligible savings while inflicting disproportionate damage. Made up mainly of representatives from the hospitality sector and night-time industries, the Licensing Taskforce was not equipped with the right expertise to foresee and avoid these dangers.

Public notices are not red tape – they are part of the ­infrastructure that keeps communities connected, informed and empowered. They bring readers to local newspapers, both print and digital, and provide a crucial income stream that supports community ­journalism in the public interest.

And, crucially, the requirement to publish in print ensures that those who cannot, or prefer not to, use digital technology – often the older, isolated and more vulnerable members of our society – can still access critical information. What is more, independent research shows that local news media remains the primary source used by the public to access public notices – far ahead of other sources such as social media, local authority websites, search engines and printed mailouts.

Taken together, the government’s misguided proposals to remove public notices from local papers amount to a highly damaging attack on the public right to know, which would shroud local communities in secrecy. For the sake of our local ­communities, Business Secretary Peter Kyle must immediately change course and commit to keeping public notices in highly trusted local newspapers.