'Give pubs a break'
Pubs across the country united yesterday to ring their bells as a wake-up call to Westminster.
The mass bell-ringing, organised by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), was a symbolic gestures to raise awareness of the plight of pubs. In total, five pubs are closing every day.
Licensing consultant and pub owner Michael Kheng took part in the bell ringing. "We are ringing this bell not because it's last orders, but as wake up call to Westminster, the Government and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to tell them that the beer and pub industry needs help," he said.
"Pubs are closing at a rate of 35 per week, and beer sales are at their lowest level since the great depression of the 1930s.
"We need an end to ever increasing taxes on beer, and a stop to endless new laws and red tape that are costing pubs millions ever year. Every new measure, and every new tax increase, means that many more pubs will close.
"We want to see the Government actively supporting community pubs across Britain. So come on Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling — give pubs a break."
• What can you do to help?
The MA is urging licensees and their customers to get involved in the campaign to Fight the Hikes. We want the Chancellor to drop plans to increase duty on beer by 2% above inflation for the next four years.
Follow these easy steps:
1. Download a Fight the Hikes Poster and put it up in your pub.
2. Download the Fight The Hikes Petition and get your regulars to join the campaign. Consumer support is vital.
3. Download the Fight the Hikes Letter and send it to your MP. It asks them to sign an EDM condemning the duty hikes, tells them about the campaign and invites them to the pub to discuss the issues first hand.
4. Find your MP's contact details here. Post or email him the letter.
5. Send your completed petitions to Fight the Hikes, Morning Advertiser, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RT.
6. Join the Fight the Hikes Facebook group.
7. Take a picture of you, staff and customers with the poster and petition and email it to Ewan.Turney@william-reed.co.uk.
• Remember you can also Ban the Chancellor from your pub by clicking here.
