Petition aims to save 9,000 British on-trade venues
Campaign group Save Britains Pubs has called on the UK government to save 9,000 independent on-trade venues that may face closure this year.
The petition urges the government to implement ’emergency measures’ to address the decline of the hospitality industry. It calls for several changes, including reducing VAT to 10%, reviewing business rates, modifying planning regulations to prevent the sale or conversion of pub premises, and conducting a national survey to assess the social value of pubs.
The parliamentary petition requires 100,000 signatures to prompt a debate among members of parliament. To date, the campaign has garnered around 4,000 supporters.
The group comprises numerous on-trade operators and breweries, led by former pub landlord Dale Harvey.
“It’s been a tough few years for British pubs, but in the past 12 months, we’ve seen that the government has made the situation even worse, with the imposition of higher taxes and financial burdens on the trade,” said Harvey.
“Even thriving pubs are now at risk, having to find tens of thousands of pounds more just to cover increased costs such as national insurance (NI), minimum wage and business rates. This money can’t just be magicked out of thin air.”
Many of these issues were caused by policies from the spring budget. Last week, a survey of the UK hospitality industry reported that a third of businesses are operating at a loss, an 11 percentage point increase on the previous quarter.
Katie Genever, landlady of the Bertie Arms in Lincolnshire, is also backing the campaign. She said: “Pubs are closing not because people have stopped loving them, but because spiralling costs mean they simply can’t afford to stay open. We’re calling on the government to hear our plea and review and support the continued operation of the Great British pub.
“As hospitality professionals, we are not by nature pessimistic, over-dramatic, doom-mongers. Quite the opposite – we are confident, positive, problem solvers. However, even the most buoyant of souls is feeling deflated and desperate.”
The petition, number 721825, can be signed now on the UK government and parliament website.
Related news
Pisco Masters UK selects winner
