THE latest pub closure figures from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) show 14 pubs are closing their doors each week, prompting the pressure group to renew calls for fundamental action to Save Our Pubs.
It says as the UK prepares to exit the European Union, the Government will have the freedom to reduce beer duty specifically in pubs – levelling the playing field between the price of beer sold in social, community settings and cheap supermarket alcohol consumed at home.
This move is one of three key measures CAMRA believes the Government needs to take urgently to halt the tide of pub closures.
The group is also calling for full reviews both of the business rates system to fix the unfair amount pubs pay, and of currently ineffective legislation designed to enable pub tenants to get a fair deal from their big-business property owners – both moves the Government has promised but is yet to carry out.
