Help us to help your pub!
The Morning Advertiser's Save Our Local Pubs campaign received high profile backing this week from two MPs.
The MA is seeking to highlight the plight of community pubs, lobby for a reduction in red tape and urge the Government to create a one-stop advice centre for licensees on new legislation.
Janet Dean, MP for Burton and joint chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group's Community Pubs Inquiry, said: "What we need to do is encourage people to go into pubs. "One idea is whether you could have a different duty level on draught beer from that on cans and bottles. Reducing red tape is another issue we will need to put to ministers."
North Swindon MP Michael Wills spoke up for licensees at a rural pubs debate in Westminster Hall in December last year. He said: "The pub is often the main or only focus of community life in rural areas and I want to do what I can to support licensees. Pub is the Hub does excellent work and I hope that some national funding becomes available for it."
Wills is also concerned that pubcos are still not offering tenants the right level of support following the Trade and Industry Select Committee inquiry in 2004.
"I think that is a major problem and one that needs to be revisited," he said.
We want to hear what we can do to help you.
We want to know *The role you play in your community *The challenges you face *Your ideas on how to solve the problems
Get in touch with Ewan Turney on 01293 610388 or Email us by clicking this link.
