DRINKERS are being urged to help save their local pub from the threat of redevelopment.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) today published a list of 100 pubs across the country – including three in Oxfordshire – that are now listed as community assets by councils. It means local people are given six months to put together a bid to buy a pub before it can be sold off.

Tony Goulding, pubs officer at the Oxford branch of Camra, wants more local pubs on the list and wants people who value their pub to try to register it with their district or city council.

He said Camra could help residents put bids together, adding: “I believe this could be a saviour until the recession packs up. Then we might look back and say ‘I’m glad I did that because now the pub is thriving’.”

Oxfordshire pubs registered as community assets are The Fairview Inn in Oxford, The Three Horseshoes in Garsington and The Perch and Pike in South Stoke.

The county has lost more than 10 pubs to housing in the last six years. In Abingdon, two – The Fitzharris Arms and The Ox – were converted into Tesco Express stores.

Although not on Camra’s list, The Bull in Great Milton was bought by villagers in May this year after a campaign backed by celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.

New landlord Stuart Butler welcomed the legislation and said: “A pub is the heartbeat of the community.”

The Lye Valley Tenants’ and Residents’ Association was last night due to discuss the idea of making a bid for the £380,000 Fairview Inn pub in Headington. The closed pub was listed as a community asset last month and Darren Grant, 42, of Glebelands, said: “It has changed the dynamics completely. If there was not the six-month delay option I doubt very many people would be able to get the finances together quickly enough to compete with a commercial bid.”

But he added: “The question is how many communities will be able to organise themselves to do that.”

Legislation could save threatened locals

The Asset of Community Value scheme is part of the Localism Act 2011, and the Community Right to Bid regulations came into force last year.

Community organisations can now apply to their district or city council to have any site registered – but they have to demonstrate why it furthers the wellbeing or social interests of the community.

If registered it is protected by the council for 10 years. If the owner intends to sell the property in that period they are legally required to tell the council who will then tell the community.

The community then has six weeks to express an interest. If it wants to buy it, it then has six months to put a bid forward.

To protect a pub contact the Campaign for Real Ale for support on 01727 867201.

Among city pubs that could be eligible for the scheme are:

The General Elliot in South Hinksey

The Crown and Thistle in Wood Farm

The Blue Mile in Littlemore

The Chester Arms in Iffley Fields and

The Holly Bush Inn on Osney Island.