Camra: Slash beer tax by 1p

The Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) is calling for a 1p cut in beer duty to help get drinkers back into local community pubs.

Camra's call to the Government came as it revealed pubs are still closing down at the rate of 56 per month.

The real ale group says there has been no reduction in the closure rate over the past 12 months as it prepares to launch its second Community Pubs Week which starts on Saturday.

Thousands of pubs across the UK are expected to stage a range of different events over the week designed to highlight the key role of the community local.

The association wants to encourage customers back into pubs to help reverse the trend towards home drinking and sees a duty cut as the first step to winning back missing drinkers.

Camra inaugurated Community Pubs Week last year after research revealed 56 pubs were being lost for good every month.

Uncertain future​

Twelve months on it has revealed the situation remains unchanged and points to 1,000 other pubs whose future is uncertain.

"There are 1,000 houses under threat of closure at any one time and with the future of these pubs in the balance it points to a very worrying situation,"​ said Camra research information manager Iain Loe.

"Community Pubs Week is designed to put local pubs on the map and highlight the crucial role they play in the community."​

The real ale group say British drinkers pay the highest duty in Europe, a massive 39p per pint against only 5p in France and 4p in Germany.

Camra believes a duty reduction would help pubs counteract the threat posed by "stay-at-home"​ drinkers consuming cheap supermarket beer.

Special events​

Licensees are being urged to stage special events over the seven days and can order a free publicity pack from Camra to help them promote the initiative.

Community Pubs Week will be preceded by the announcement of Camra's prestigious National Pub Of The Year winner.

Four pubs, the Blue Peter at Kirkcolm, the Old Spot Inn,Dursley, the Land of Liberty Peace & Plenty at Heron and the Turks Head at St Helens are the finalists.