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The plight of pubs is being highlighted as figures show two are closing every week in Wales.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) revealed the worrying statistic that often leaves rural areas without any pub.

This has now seen the Welsh Conservatives launch a Support Your Local Pub campaign.

They want to abolish business rates for small businesses, cut red tape and introduce the right to buy to help people protect community assets.

Communities have also been urged to use their local to help prevent more pubs closing.

Today Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Opposition, Mark Isherwood, Shadow Minister for Communities and Janet Finch-Saunders, AM for Aberconwy, launched the campaign in the Albion Ale House in Conwy.

Mr Davies said it was time for more to be done to support pubs to halt the closures.

He said reducing rates, cutting bureaucracy and making it easier for residents to buy their local through Community Right to Bid would assist keeping pubs open.

But he added: “People and communities also need to support their local pub.”

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Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “Pubs are at the heart of our communities, but many face considerable challenges to stay open.

“Welsh Conservatives want to use a low tax agenda to support local pubs and protect the role they place in society as an economic, social and cultural hub.

“We support the Chancellor’s tax cuts to support pubs, breweries and everyone who enjoys the occasional drink by cutting or freezing duty on beer, spirits and cider.

“Welsh Conservatives have launched this campaign to protect the important role that pubs play in our economy and society as major employers and as the hubs which are integral to a community’s way of life.”

The three Welsh Conservative AMs were joined by landlord Stuart Chapman-Edwards, Welsh Director for CAMRA, Ian Saunders and the Director of Conwy Brewery, Gwynne Thomas.

Mr Thomas said: “The future of small breweries are closely linked to future of pubs as cask ale is the main part of our business. Therefore we support any campaign that could help to keep pubs open.

“Many pubs are struggling and reduced business rates would help but we would also like to see the VAT paid by pubs lower than that paid at off-premises(shops/off-licences).

Pubs also need to look at their offer and communities need to ensure they use their pub, it is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.”