Ease the burden

In the opening evidence session of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group's inquiry into the future of community pubs, a cross-party panel of MPs were reminded of the excellent work that pubs do for communities.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations and Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), were among those to give evidence at the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Payne said: "Public houses offer social and educational facilities for local people."

He went on to criticise the amount of red tape that pubs were now facing. "In the last few years it has increased dramatically and licensees are spending hours dealing with it, when they should be behind the bar," Mr Payne added.

But he encouraged community and rural pubs to think more about diversifying by offering library and post office services.

He also warned that the smoking ban could close a lot of community and rural pubs.

The inquiry, launched in December, is designed to assess the impact red tape is having on community pubs and look at the measures the government can take to address them.

Later, Mr Benner from CAMRA put forward four remedies to help ailing community pubs. These were: rate relief, a new guest beer law, a reduction in excise duty on draught beer and a right to buy for long term pub tenants.

The eight-strong panel of MPs also heard from Janet Dooner, licensee at the Railway Tavern in Stratford, East London. She highlighted many local organisations which used her pub to meet. She said: "Without us there, I think these organisations would fold."

The next evidence session is due to be held on Tuesday May 23, followed by a third session when trade associations will face the panel.

Once the evidence sessions are complete, the panel will invite ministers to respond to its proposals before publishing its recommendations in June.