Small breweries flock to join duty relief campaign

The Small Brewer Duty Reform Coalition (SBDRC), which is spearheading the campaign, has seen rapid growth in support since its launch on 18 January this year.

SBDRC’s main aim is to encourage the Government to review tax policy for small brewers. The group also plans to commission an independent review, beginning later this month, to support the business case for reform. The review is expected to look at how to ensure fair competition, sustainable future growth and diversity in the sector.

SIBA and CAMRA are also being consulted as part of the review process, and the results of the review will be sent to the Treasury.

SBDRC co-chairs Rupert Thompson and Collin Wood said they hoped that all parts of the sector will feed their views into the independent review.

Richard Burhouse, managing director of Magic Rock Brewery, which has just joined the coalition, said that that SBR calculations for any businesses that are above the “low threshold” create “barriers” for successful breweries.

“In addition to the necessary spending to facilitate growth, it’s imperative that we invest in people and quality control, but the additional duty we pay makes this difficult and puts us at a competitive disadvantage in the marketplace. This is one of the reasons I’d welcome a review of the current situation,” Burhouse added.

Members that have joined the group since the launch are Brewhouse Bar & Kitchen, Brakspear, West Berkshire, St Peters, Everards, Castle Rock, Thwaites, Siren Craft, and Magic Rock.