BBPA campaign hits 100,000 supporter mark

Support for the British Beer & Pub Association's (BBPA) campaign 'I'm backing the pub' has swelled with 100,000 people now on board.

With so much support secured, the trade group is preparing to publish the full list of candidates for the general election on its website www.backthepub.com​

As well as promoting the pub as a key part of community life the trade group also wants people to lobby candidates in their constituencies about the issues facing the trade.

Emails are also being sent out to all candidates of the three main national political parties, and of the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "More needs to be done to support this essential British institution and the general election is a unique opportunity for candidates of all parties to tell voters how they will do so.

"We are therefore asking all candidates to join 100,000 supporters and pledge their support for our "I'm backing the pub" campaign - and we will publish the list of those who do and those who don't."

Julian Grocock, chief executive of campaign supporter the Society of Independent Brewers, said: "Pubs are an integral part of Britain's rich culture, our national heritage, and community life - and beer has always been a key part of what makes pubs so special.

"Our national drink is a particularly British product using home-grown ingredients and employing thousands of people across the country.

"Its relatively low-strength reinforces its role in making the British pub a socially valuable institution which deserves widespread support."