SIR — I was very pleased to read that speculators will no longer be able to buy up historic pubs and turn them into moneymaking flats and other accomodation without first giving local residents a chance to improve them (Free Press November 9).

Too many so-called businessmen have bought these pubs, which are the main meeting places in many villages, and tried to gain planning permission to destroy them for their own greed.

The reason they give is that the pub is unviable as a business. In many cases, the reason they fail is because the owners have zero knowledge or experience in running such an establishment.

They fall in love with the idea of becoming a publican, knowing nothing about the job, and because they lose money they blame it on everything other than their own incompetence.

I have seen cases in West Somerset where this has happened - the pub has appeared to fail and then a more experienced landlord has taken over and completely turned the business around.

What gives these people the right to think they can destroy a historic way of village life?

George Ody,