Government

Rate hikes are hitting pubs hard

Shock 550% rates bill hike for hosts

By Gemma McKenna

Licensees across the country are receiving rates bills up to 550% higher than last year after the scrapping of transitional rate relief.

Coulson: be wary of the changing regulations

Working rights affect all

By Peter Coulson

Employers need to keep on top of the latest rules and regulations in regard to employees, says Peter Coulson.

Many hosts face big rates hikes

Many hosts face big rates hikes

By Gemma McKenna

Many licensees face big hikes in rates bills this year as the Government has abolished gradual rates increases. Instead, final payment is being...

Rate relief has not been ruled out

Hope for automatic rate relief

By John Harrington

Local Government minister Sadiq Khan says the Government won't rule out automatic rate relief for small firms "as an option for the future

Bish: Government needs to rethink duty policy

ALMR: closed pubs can't pay taxes

By Ewan Turney

The Government could be £217m worse off because its inflation busting duty hikes have shut so many pubs. The warning comes from the Association of...

Trade bodies want to axe the tax

75,000 jobs at risk over duty escalator

By Ewan Turney

Over 75,000 drinks industry jobs will be at risk over the next four years if the Government refuses to drop its controversial alcohol duty escalator...

Government has denied it is to have a moratorium on new laws

Gov denies plans to drop alcohol code

By Ewan Turney

The Government has denied that it is about to dump a raft of new laws, including the mandatory code on alcohol, to ease the burden on struggling...

Bish: Government needs to help pubs

Pub company insolvencies jump 45%

By Ewan Turney

The number of pub and bar companies becoming insolvent jumped by 45% between the third and fourth quarter of 2008. The Government's Insolvency...

Pubs are supervised and responsible environments, says ALMR

ALMR: promote pubs as responsible

By Ewan Turney

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has called on the Government to promote pubs as supervised and responsible drinking environments.

Pring: Churchill myst be turning in his grave

Fight them and their speeches

By Andrew Pring

The Government's latest barrage of blows against the trade is a shameful and ill-timed attack, says Andrew Pring.

Cameron: opposed to business rates hikes

Defeat for Tories fighting rate bill hike

By John Harrington

A bid to derail Government plans that would mean higher business rates for pubs has failed. But the controversial supplementary business tax proposal...

New powers for police

New powers to curb alcohol related crime

By Gemma McKenna

The Government has today announced a new power that targets offenders who commit crime under the influence of alcohol. Home Office Minister Alan...

Protz: not a Labour fan

Vote Labour? Never again

By Roger Protz

What on earth is the Government trying to do to pubs? Roger Protz can't believe its latest tax moves.

Pring: devil is in the detail

So far not so bad, Home Sec

By Andrew Pring

The Queen's speech revealed plans for a new restrictive code for pubs, but not the draconian crackdown we feared, says Andrew Pring.

Government has set out its code

Government confirms mandatory pub code

By MA team

Trade leaders say Government plans for a mandatory retailing code on pubs will make life harder for hosts. Code will ban all-inclusive deals but happy hours escape.

Elliott: time for change

The time for change is upon us

By David Elliott

Greene King Pub Partners managing director David Elliott says it is time for a change in the industry.

Protz: Gov must be reduced

Reduce beer duty and everyone wins

By Roger Protz

If British brewing is to recover from its worst crisis since the 1930s, the Government must take action soon, says Roger Protz.

Campaign will target problem drinkers

£6m campaign targets problem drinkers

By John Harrington

The Government has announced a £6m campaign to help problem drinkers. The money will be shared between 20 areas identified as being the worst...

Get your MP to support report

Support growing for Community Pubs Report

By Ewan Turney

The Community Pubs Inquiry Report is gaining support with 28 MPs already urging the Government to take note of its findings. But the Morning...

Police have not used DBOs

Drink ban orders on hold

By John Harington

Government is considering shelving new powers to ban drunken thugs from pubs. Drink Banning Orders (DBOs) were included in the 2006 Violent Crime...

Pubs face tough new restrictions

New pub crackdown...it gets worse

By John Harrington

Bans on selling alcohol at weekends, doormen and CCTV at every point of sale and briefings for staff at every shift are all advised by Government at first pub licence review.

Evans: Government must act

Get your MP to support community pubs

By Ewan Turney

The Morning Advertiser is urging licensees to get in touch with their MP and get them to support the findings of the Community Pubs Inquiry in order...

Coulson: trade needs royal intervention

What if pubs are not the hub?

By Peter Coulson

There is not a single redeeming feature of the first draft proposals of the Responsible Alcohol Sales Taskforce, says Peter Coulson.

Pring: national campaign is needed

Man the guns on a burning deck

By Andrew Pring

What kind of pub novice devises the Government's anti-alcohol proposals? The trade faces a fierce fight against the oncoming tide of red tape, says Andrew Pring.

Bish: serious consequences

Code is 'ridiculous and reckless'

By Ewan Turney

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has launched a scathing attack on the Government's proposals for a mandatory code of conduct for the trade — it fears widespread job losses as a result of the regulatory overkill.

Promoting excessive drinking is prohibited

Pubs face mandatory code on promotions

By John Harrington

Pubs face a raft of new red tape after the Government proposed a crackdown on drinks promotions, combined with bizarre new operating burdens for...

MA campaign against rogues has paid off

New energy system 'better for pubs'

By John Harrington

Government insists new regime for handling complaints, in place of the now defunct energywatch, will offer a better system but concerns still exist that the new Consumer Direct only offers a limited service to businesses.

Bill was unveiled at No10 today

Minimum pricing meeting blasted

By Ewan Turney

One attendee has blasted the meeting at 10 Downing Street on minimum pricing as "nothing more than a tea party" — the meeting was called to discuss a new Alcohol Sales Bill, which proposes minimum pricing.