Healey visited the brewery in Rotherham’s Parkgate earlier this month, where he toured the venue and discussed ongoing economic headwinds facing the pub and brewing sectors.
The visit came shortly after Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi told The Morning Advertiser (The MA) MPs should visit pubs and breweries in their constituencies more frequently to better understand the challenges facing the industry and inform policy decisions aimed at supporting the sector.
During his visit, Healey, who was appointed as Pubs Minister under Gordon Brown’s Labour Government in 2010, highlighted the Government’s plans to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and hospitality venues by 20%.
Breathing space
However, speaking to ITV News, the Chancellor acknowledged the measure alone would not reverse the decline in the number of pubs across the UK.
He said the Government was trying to give businesses “a bit of breathing space”, while recognising the wider pressures facing the sector.
Chantry Brewery sales representative Lee Kitchen told The MA the Chancellor’s visit had been a “positive” experience for the team, adding the MP was “doing some good things” to support pubs and breweries.
“[Government policies] have been hurting [small breweries], but lately they have started taking a step in the right direction and helping,” Kitchen added.
Supporting the sector
During the visit, Healey also sampled a pint of Chantry Brewery’s Chancellor’s Choice, a beer brewed specifically for the Rotherham MP’s visit.
It is not the first time the Chancellor has supported the brewery.
In 2023, he helped arrange for Chantry’s Parkgate 200 beer to be served in Parliament, brewed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Parkgate area.
Founded in Rotherham in 2012, Chantry has since expanded its brewing operation and pub estate, which now comprises four pubs and a taproom.
