Government Must Not Call Time On Local Pubs

12.01.00am GMT Wed 25th Feb 2004

20 local pubs close every month, and large chain bars increasingly populate our high streets. As part of the National Pubs Week campaign, Brian Cotter MP, Liberal Democrat Small Business Spokesman, is pressing the Government to protect Britain's local pubs and micro-breweries from closure.

He has tabled a Parliamentary motion in support of CAMRA's (Campaign for Real Ale) campaign to extend the level of progressive beer duty for family brewers and allow local authorities to grant up to 100% rate relief to endangered community pubs.

Commenting on the campaign, Brian Cotter MP said: "Independent pubs and breweries are often the hub of the community, but with around 20 local pubs closing every month, we are in danger of losing an important element of local life."

"Britain's high streets are becoming increasingly awash with branded pubs and bars and we must act to protect our small local pubs from extinction."

"The Government should help to keep the beer flowing in these unique local businesses by allowing urban community pubs to benefit from rate relief."

"Sole village pubs already enjoy this benefit, and extending the level of progressive beer duty would boost the market for independent family brewers."

"CAMRA's plans to help local communities save their pubs from closure or absorption into a themed chain should be championed. Pubs reflect the personality of their local area, and it would be a dreadful shame to lose character in favour of themed bars."

Commenting on the launch of their, "Saving Your Local Pub" booklet CAMRA's Public Affairs Manager, Jonathan Mail said: "Well-run community pubs are at the social and economic heart of an area. Their closure can add to the spiral of decline faced by many local economies and undermine the sense of community feeling."

"The "Saving Your Local Pub" booklet encourages communities to organise themselves and, if necessary, buy their own local pub when it is threatened with closure."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

· National Pubs Week is running from the 21st-28th February. CAMRA are launching a special booklet, "Saving Your Local Pub" as part of the campaign. A copy of the booklet can be accessed at: www.camra.org.uk/savingyourlocal

· EDM - National Pubs Week

Brian Cotter.

That this House gives its support for National Pubs Week which is being held between the 21st and 28th February; recognises the important contribution that independent pubs make to the social and economic life of our local communities; acknowledges that around 20 local pubs close each month due to the consolidation of pub ownership and the prevalence of town centre theme bars; welcomes the launch of the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) "Saving Your Pub" booklet which gives local communities advice on fighting pub closures in their areas and calls upon the Government to safeguard our local pubs and micro-breweries by extending progressive beer duty to the maximum level of 200,000hl as permitted under EU law; introducing legislation so that endangered urban community pubs can benefit from up to 100% rate relief in the same way that sole village pubs are able to and by pressing large pub chains to purchase a guest beer from their local brewery.