The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is calling on local election candidates to protect their communities’ pubs by backing calls for fairer business rates. The follows the permanent closure of more than 800 pubs in the past two years.
With rates collected by local authorities, one of the single biggest ways councillors could help save locals from closure would be to call for fairer business rates. This would help lessen the financial burden pubs face. They typically pay five times more, on average, in business rates than other sectors.
More than 800 pubs were forced to close their doors for good during the pandemic because of prolonged periods of closure and rising overheads. However, where pubs were able to remain open a recent study suggests that 37% of people said their local pub became even more important to their community.
Pubs contribute £26.2 billion to local economies across the UK each year, as well as providing a vital shop window for Britain’s world-renowned brewing industry.
The call follows the launch of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association’s local elections manifesto, which made Scotland-specific recommendations on a road to recovery after the pandemic. This included suggesting the appointment of night tsars in Edinburgh and Glasgow, like the roles of Sacha Lord in Manchester and Amy Lamé in London.
The BBPA is also urging local election candidates to support a cut to beer duty and reduced VAT rates for hospitality.
Chief executive of the BBPA, Emma McClarkin, said: “Pubs are the beating heart of communities up and down the country, but many of them are at serious risk of closing permanently due to increased costs, rising overheads, and customers who have fewer pence in their back pocket.
“The upcoming local elections are a time to reflect on what’s important to us in our neighbourhoods. That’s why we are urging candidates to get behind their local pubs by supporting our call for fairer business rates, so they can continue to be a place where communities come together and thrive.”
