BBPA calls on election candidates to support local pubs 

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is calling on local candidates to back calls for fairer business rates and protect their local pubs ahead of next week’s election. 

The association said that with rates collected by local authorities, one of the “single biggest ways” councillors could help save pubs from closure would be to call for fairer business rates to help lessen the financial pressures pubs are facing. 

The call comes as over 800 pubs permanently closed in the past two years due to prolonged periods of closure and rising overheads. 

According to the BBPA however, where pubs were able to remain open, 37% of people said their local pub “became even more important” to their community during the pandemic. In addition, pubs contribute £26.2bn to local economies across the UK each year.

In light of this, the BBPA is calling on candidates in local elections to “recognise the contribution pubs make to their local community across the whole of the UK and support them by championing the need for fairer business rates”. 

It is also asking candidates to support a cut to beer duty and reduced VAT rates for hospitality to help ease the financial burden faced by pubs and Britain’s brewers.

CEO of the BBPA, Emma McClarkin, said: “Pubs are the beating heart of communities up and down the country but many of them are at serious risk of closing permanently due to increased costs, rising overheads and customers who have fewer pence in their back pocket.

“The upcoming local elections are a time to reflect on what’s important to us in our neighbourhoods. That’s why we are urging candidates to get behind their local pubs by supporting our call for fairer business rates, so they can continue to be a place where communities come together and thrive.”