Fight the Hikes!
The Morning Advertiser is urging pubs to fight plans for massive alcohol tax hikes over the next four years.
Automatic rises of inflation-plus-2% each year could spell disaster for pubs — so the MA is hitting back with its Fight the Hikes campaign.
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe offered hope last week, when he told the MA the Chancellor may re-think the hikes if the industry "gets its act together".
This week, hosts are being encouraged to send a template letter to their MP urging support for a new anti-alcohol tax-hike Early Day Motion — a petition for MPs — from Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland.
The letter, which can be downloaded below, also asks the MP to visit the pub to discuss problems face to face.
In addition, licensees can get customers involved by displaying a petition to Chancellor Alistair Darling, downloadable below.
"The Government has put an escalator on drinks duty — we need to escalate our disapproval!" said Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish.
"Well done the MA in taking this step."
JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: "It's an excellent idea to rally behind lower taxes for the industry.
"Higher excise duty hits pubs much harder than anyone else. I'm glad the Morning Advertiser has taken a lead."
Pressure
The Campaign for Real Ale's research and information manager Iain Loe said: "We totally support campaigns to put pressure on Darling and the Prime Minister not to continue this insane hike in excise duty."
The Federation of Small Businesses said: "The FSB supports the MA's alcohol tax campaign. This is yet another burden for small community pubs, which are already struggling to survive."
Steve Haslam, licensee of the Cutter Inn at Ely, Cambs, said: "We must band together to tell the Government that this Budget will irreversibly damage the trade."
Shepherd Neame boss Jonathan Neame told MPs last week that 8,000 pubs could close due to the hikes.
GET INVOLVED
Follow these easy steps:
1. Download a Fight the Hikes Poster and put it up in your pub.
2. Download the Fight The Hikes Petition and get your regulars to join the campaign. Consumer support is vital.
3. Download Extra Petition Sheets.
4. Download the Fight the Hikes Letter and send it to your MP. It asks them to sign an EDM condemning the duty hikes, tells them about the campaign and invites them to the pub to discuss the issues first hand.
5. Find your MP's contact details here. Post or email him the letter.
6. Send your completed petitions to Fight the Hikes, Morning Advertiser, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RT.
7. Join the Fight the Hikes Facebook group.
8. Take a picture of you, staff and customers with the poster and petition and email it to Ewan.Turney@william-reed.co.uk.
• Remember you can also Ban the Chancellor from your pub by clicking here.
