They are just the most recent in a string of MPs backing the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group initiative, supported by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin was invited behind the bar by publican Grahame Bunn at the King’s Head in Upton-upon-Severn, to serve customers and find out more about the business.
“Local pubs are often the glue in our community and it is clear that they are facing challenging times, like many of our local businesses,” she said. “Pubs in the town benefit from Upton’s vibrant tourist trade, but also have to cope once the winter months arrive and visiting trade slows down. I support all attempts to secure the future of all of our local pubs.”
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton pulled pints at his local Punch Taverns pub the Marlipins in Shoreham alongside licensee Jacki Bray.
Bray, who has held the lease twice over the last 23 years, added: “The regulars really enjoyed Tim’s visit and were asking him all sorts of questions, which Tim was more than happy to answer. It was also a good opportunity for him to find out how difficult it is to run a pub at the moment. However, he may need a few more lessons on pouring pints.”
Workington, Cumbria, MP Tony Cunningham also did a shift at a Punch pub, the Blue Bell with publicans Ray Thompsett and Janice Short.
“It was a great opportunity to be on the other side of the bar to see how hard local publicans and their staff have to work,” said Cunningham. “It was also interesting to find out about the support Punch provides to its licensees in these difficult trading conditions. The Blue Bell has always been a great local pub, and I certainly admire the effort Ray and Janice put in to make it a thriving part of the community.”
Thompsett, who has been running the pub with Short for nearly 10 years, added: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Tony to the pub and it was great to see him supporting the pub industry. The regulars enjoyed his visit and Tony was very approachable and open in responding to questions about key issues affecting the trade.”
And North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson got behind the bar at JD Wetherspoon pub the Dockle Farmhouse, pulling pints to mark the launch of its beer festival.