Future Trends: Beer and Cider
Simmonds to set out BBPA’s plans to boost pub trade
Simmonds, who spoke to the Publican's Morning Advertiser (PMA) ahead of her presentation at the Future Trends: Beer and Cider event, which is set to take place in London on 22 June, outlined the biggest financial issues pubs would face in the coming years and how the BBPA would lobby for change.
She said: "The tax burden on brewing and pubs in the UK is very high. This is despite three consecutive one penny cuts in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Budgets, and a freeze in the 2016 Budget."
While the cuts and the freeze had helped alleviate some pressure on the sector and keep the pint affordable for beer drinkers, duty on Britain's national pub drink remained very high by international standards.
"The pub trade faces significant cost increases in the coming years, such as business rates, the national minimum wage and pensions auto-enrolment that will squeeze these businesses even further," she said.
Brewers making only 1p per pint
For example, through working with financial forecasting firm Oxford Economics, the BBPA had discovered brewers were making only 1p on every pint of beer sold.
"We have campaigned hard for years for cuts in beer duty. Compared with our European neighbours we pay incredibly high duty rates.
"In Germany, for example, beer duty is 13 times lower than it is here," added Simmonds.
In the future, while working with industry partners such as the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), the BBPA would continue to campaign hard to further relieve the pressures of tax on the pub sector.
But, also, the organisation would look at other ways it could help the sector save money. She said: "For example, we recently held a Pub Industry Energy Symposium to help pub operators navigate the big and potentially costly, Government energy policy changes.
"We work with a whole range of Government departments to promote our sector including DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on exports.
"And also VisitBritain to attract overseas visitors, BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) on employment issues and the new apprenticeship levy, the Home Office on crime prevention, DH (Department of Health) on promoting lower strength and responsibility and DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) on the Great British high streets."
If you're interested in hearing what else Simmonds will say at the Future Trends: Beer and Cider event, then get in touch with Joanne Horton by phone on 01293 610 403 or email at wbnaar.ubegba@jeoz.pbz to book your place.
Alternatively you can see a full agenda and book a ticket at www.FutureTrendsBeerandCider.co.uk.
The Future Trends: Beer and Cider event is backed by headline sponsor Heineken and supported by Kegstar, Nigay and Willis Publicity.
