Government must give pubs greater support with tax rebates to safeguard them as vital social lifelines, a report from think-tank Localis urges today.
The report, entitled Inn-Valuable: Unlocking the Socio-economic Potential of our Nation’s Pubs, also argues that a minister for pubs role should be reinstated. The job would join up help for the country’s pubs sector, which supports 936,000 jobs, generates £28bn in gross value added to the economy, and delivers £15bn in tax revenues to the Exchequer annually.
According to polling undertaken by YouGov for the report, 75% of respondents feel the impact of pubs on community life is positive. When asked if pubs are important in bringing people together, more than four-in-five (81%) agreed they are, with just 14% feeling that they are not.
Among pro-community activities supported by local pubs, nearly half (44%) of people are aware of pub events that bring the community together. A quarter know of local pubs that support charitable causes, and 17% know of local pubs that support vulnerable people in their area.
Pollsters also found that, among social uses of pubs in the last three months, more than half of the population (51%) had met a friend in one, while nearly two-in-five (37%) had visited the pub to meet up with family. A quarter had enjoyed Sunday lunch in one and 10% had attended a pub-held birthday party. In addition, 6% of the public had used pubs for dating purposes, and 13% watched a sporting event.
A key recommendation of the report calls for the re-establishment of a minister for pubs post to co-ordinate a cross-government task force responsible for long-term strategy for the sector. They would lead on help with tax and regulation, alongside an emergency fund for energy bill support.
The report authors also make the case for business rates rebates for those pubs which take on socially valuable roles. This would include hosting foodbanks or providing warm spaces for vulnerable people, with a call for a modest £4m cashpot to help 1,000 pubs to diversify at a cost of £4,000 per pub.
“Across Britain, pubs have consistently played a pivotal role in knitting communities together and promoting social cohesion,” said Joe Fyans, head of research at Localis.
“Pubs are the beating heart of many communities, playing multi-faceted roles in local daily life. This is why the decline of pubs is cause for great concern. With each closure, both tangible and intangible, voids are left behind.
“The lessons are clear. Pubs, in all their forms and across all locations, remain integral to British social cohesion as hubs of activity, community, and social capital. This makes their presence all the more crucial as community safety nets and beacons of light, offering a lifeline hope for many people looking for a real sense of local belonging.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The stories highlighted in this report truly are just a snapshot of the hugely positive impact pubs have in communities across the country every single day.
“There are few businesses that can say they add both social and economic value, and pubs are delivering that value in neighbourhoods from Lanarkshire to Liskeard, and everywhere in between. Pubs provide solace to people in tough times and a place to celebrate in others, and to lose them would have a serious impact on people’s lives.
“With closures continuing to rise and pubs under threat from further duty and business rates cost hikes, we hope the government will seriously consider the proposals put forward by this report so the foundations can be laid to help pubs continue to do this brilliant work in their communities long into the future.”
Becky Barnett runs The Lamb Inn, in Swadlincote, which features in the report. She said: “We support our local community in a number of ways, including offering free food and drinks to people on Wednesday mornings. People can come into the pub, have a free hot meal, and, in winter, sit by our log fire in comfy chairs, no questions asked.
“When times are tough, we want to be a place where people can come for help, and local people have been incredibly grateful of us opening our doors at no cost.
“At the same time, we also face challenges with high energy bills and other rising costs, so it’s a scary time for our business as well. We want to continue to provide a non-judgemental warm space for people but we’re facing our own difficulties as well.”
