British government urged to save beer and pubs

The British government is being asked to save the beer and pub sector which contributes £34.3 billion to the UK economy annually, supporting over a million jobs.

In a study published by the think-tank Localis which is being issued today at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, ministers are urged to launch a taskforce to clear obstacles that endanger the beer and pub sector which delivers £11.4bn in tax revenues to the Exchequer annually.

The report, entitled ‘Inn-Valuable 2: unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs’, identifies how pubs are vital for community cohesion, providing spaces for social interaction and combating isolation. The findings also online how a significant majority of British adults (72%) believe pubs have a positive impact on their communities. However, despite this, the current tax, regulatory, and planning environment still poses significant challenges to the pub sector.

According to the report, the British government must overhaul a counterproductive regulatory and tax landscape that threatens the future of British local pubs which serve as “a vital social and economic anchor for communities across the country”.

Results from the polling showed that, when asked if pubs are important in bringing people together, more than four-in-five (81%) of British adults agreed they are, with just 14% feeling that they are not.

Polling carried out for the report also showed nearly three quarters (73%) of British adults felt that pubs help combat loneliness in their local area. Among pro-community activities supported by local pubs, nearly half (42%) of people were aware of pub events that bring the community together, more than a quarter (27%) knew of pubs that supported charitable causes and close to one in five, 19%, knew of local pubs that supported vulnerable people in their area.

The research identified from case studies taken pubs across the country some dominant themes on how the sector supports local people and communities.

Pollsters additionally found that, among those who’ve ever visited a pub, more than half (53%) had met a friend in one, while nearly two-in-five (38%) of people had visited the pub to meet up with family. The findings showed that a quarter (26%) had enjoyed Sunday lunch in a local pub and 11% of the public had also attended a pub-held birthday party in that timespan.

The benefits of pubs were outlined further by identifying how integral they were to people’s social integration and noted how 7% of the public had used pubs for dating purposes and 20% watched a sporting event in one.

A key recommendation of the report now calls for support from the government in extending business rates relief for hospitality and to increase the window for this to three years in line with the spending review period to give long-term certainty to publicans.

The report also implores for a government taskforce to halt the decline of the Great British pub and identify policies to ensure long-term sustainability for the sector, including: Reviewing business rates and excise duty, providing employment incentives so pubs keep employing younger members of staff and examining planning policies to support the night-time economy.

Report author and Localis head of research Joe Fyans said: “Pubs are more than just businesses, they are the heart and soul of our communities. To ensure their long-term survival, we need a policy framework that recognises their value and supports their continued success.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) backed up these sentiments and explained: “This research cements what people up and down the country know and believe – that the pub is a home from home, the beating heart of our towns and villages, and offers a warm welcome to people from all walks of life. As this research proves, pubs aren’t just about a pint – people know that pubs stave off loneliness, support the vulnerable in their communities, and raise millions for charity.”

McClarkin added: “While we know that brewers and pubs invest billions into the economy, their huge contribution to our communities and society is priceless and they must be supported. Government must use this Budget to cut beer duty, reform business rates, and maintain 75% business rates relief so that pubs and brewers can remain a cherished part of society.”

The lobbying coindides with news that 305 pubs were forced to close in the first six months of the year, according to a recent analysis from property intelligence company Altus.

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