Pubcos support MP drive
The initiative, launched by the head of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group — Burton MP Andrew Griffiths — and backed by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, urged MPs to support the trade by getting behind the bar.
Griffiths said the initiative will give publicans a chance to build a relationship with their local MPs and allow them to discuss the issues affecting their businesses.
Five Cornish MPs will get behind the bar in their local St Austell Brewery pubs this month — Stephen Gilbert, Sheryll Murray, Sarah Newton, George Eustice and Dan Rogerson have accepted a personal invitation from James Staughton, managing director at St Austell.
Staughton said: “Issues such as record levels of red tape and beer tax need addressing if we are to help protect this great British institution and promote responsible drinking — our MPs can help make that happen.”
In addition, two MPs have already got behind the bar at Punch Taverns pubs — the Black Bull in Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, and the Hatchet Inn in Sherfield English, Hampshire. Blaydon MP Dave Anderson pulled pints with licensees Carl and Jackie Hayley at the Black Bull, claiming the industry is being “savagely hit by unfair competition”.
“We risk losing the beating heart of our communities as more and more traditional pubs disappear,” Anderson said. “I will continue to give my fullest support to those campaigning for justice and fairness for the pub trade.”
Licensee Carl Hayley said the meeting provided a great chance to speak to the MP about issues including minimum pricing.”
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, pulled pints at the Hatchet Inn with licensees Liz Murray and Lyn Wilkins. Nokes said it showed her how hard licensees work.
Murray said: “She did an excellent job and was still pulling pints at 11pm. It was also a great opportunity to ask questions about key issues affecting the industry, such as reducing VAT for the hospitality sector.”
Greene King has got behind the campaign with its pubs the Tharp Arms in Chippenham, Cambridgeshire, and the Norfolk in Colchester, Essex, both getting a visit from their local MP.
Jim Paice is set to do a stint at the Tharp Arms on 14 October while MP Bob Russell is working a shift at the Norfolk this week.
Mulholland delves into big issues
Leeds North West MP and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, Greg Mulholland, got behind the bar of a community pub in his constituency. Mulholland helped out during a lunch-time shift at the Tarn pub in Yeadon, serving up pints to the punters, while having the opportunity to hear from staff at the pub about issues in the trade.
Mulholland said: “As a long-time campaigner on pub issues and, as chairman of the group, I am familiar with many issues faced by pubs.
“It was still, however, a great opportunity to hear from staff about their views on problems faced by their pub.”
MP hears publicans’ problems
Stephen Gilbert, MP for Newquay and St Austell, has worked a shift at
the Polgooth Inn, Polgooth, Cornwall.
Gilbert, pictured right, said: “To hear more about the problems faced by the industry and what could be done to help, I volunteered to roll up my sleeves and hear about problems from the other side of the bar.
CAMRA aids bar campaign
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has also helped to get MPs behind the bar. Maggie Osborn, of South East Essex CAMRA, organised for Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, pictured left, to pull pints at the Shepherd & Dog in Ballards Gore, Essex. Host Al Saberi hosted the MP, and two other local publicans also came along to the event.
