A MANCHESTER-based umbrella group which promotes co-operative businesses has criticised the coalition government's decision to close a £3.3m fund set up to stem the tide of local pub closures.Co-Operatives UK said that the fund, which was due to be operated by the Plunkett Foundation but closed before it wrote its first cheque ,would have offered "an effective solution" to the growing tide of rural pub closures. "Our research suggests that pub closures are accelerating, so that across the UK one pub now closes every thre......for the full story register now for free or login below...