Shops, pubs and community centres in Redbridge could be the subjects of bids by residents’ associations thanks to legislation.

Under the Localism Act, a “community right to bid” allows groups to nominate publicly or privately owned places of interests for listing as “assets of community value”.

If included, the property then cannot be sold without the group which nominated it being given six months to put together a rival bid.

Redbridge Council is now considering properties to include on the list.

Speaking at last week’s area two committee meeting in Woodford Green, Cllr Gwyneth Deakins, a self-proclaimed member of the Campaign for Real Ale, said pubs should be considered.

She said: “If any groups submitted any local pubs for this it would be a good idea.

“We don’t have that many pubs, in my ward we have one. It’s a factor of life that a large number of pubs are closing.”

The owner of a “listed” property does not have to follow through with a sale or sell to the community group.

Cllr John Fairley-Churchill said he supported the right for community groups, but said: “If you have a business that’s failing, you have to continue to run it for six months on the off chance that somebody may buy it.”