ALMR wants support for community pubs
To mark the start of National Community Pubs week, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has sent a clear message to Ministers and MPs on the need to support these vital community resources.
In light of CAMRA's recent survey, which found that 1,300 community pubs are under threat each year and 56 are lost each month, the ALMR has set out a series of proposals designed to halt that slide.
Community pubs are at the heart of our industry - true locals serving their community, a social space for residents and key part of the local economyALMR chief executive, Nick Bish
The proposals have been submitted to Ministers and MPs ahead of the Chancellor's Annual Budget Statement later this year.
ALMR Chief Executive, Nick Bish, said: "Community pubs are at the heart of our industry - true locals serving their community, a social space for residents and key part of the local economy.
"Even the Government has recognised that they are an icon of Britishness.
"We want a clear message sent to politicians of all parties - these are pubs are vital to healthy, safe and attractive communities.
"They deserve to be supported and encouraged, not suffocated by red tape and driven out of business by spiralling costs."
Analysis by the ALMR has revealed that, since 1997, over 270 separate pieces of legislation have been introduced which affect community pubs, and now 1 in 5 small businesses in the sector fear becoming uncompetitive as a result.
The ALMR has set out a 5 point plan to address this and deliver the meaningful support the sector needs:
Ø A freeze on beer duty to offset the rising costs of doing business - eg. SIA fees up 30%, licence fees up 7%, employment costs to rise by 4% and a 5-fold increase in gaming machine permits
Ø Reform of the licensing regime - to strip out unnecessary costs and administrative burdens
Ø New capital allowances for investment in smoking facilities and solutions
Ø More effective business support - increase the exemption thresholds for stamp duty land tax, rate relief and other small business exemptions
Ø No new stealth taxes on beds, eating out or road pricing.
Bish said: "The Government claims to be the champion of small business and better regulation, but its record on delivering meaningful support and more particularly the changes that businesses, rather than politicians, want and need is woefully inadequate. We hope the Chancellor takes this opportunity to listen and do something which would make a practical difference on the ground - that way we may all have something to cheer on Budget day."
