Trade welcomes community pub report

A wide-ranging parliamentary report urging the government to help community pubs has been welcomed by the industry.

The report, released today by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group after a two-and-a-half year MP-led inquiry, makes a series of recommendations - including an end to the alcohol duty escalator, minimum pricing and a reduction in the amount of red tape pubs face.

Mike Benner, the Campaign for Real Ale's chief executive, said he hoped it would be a "catalyst for a change in approach, which struggling community pubs so desperately need."

He added: "I am delighted that these (recommendations) focus on urging government to provide better support for community pubs including an urgent review of price differentials between pubs and supermarkets and the role of excise duty."

When the inquiry launched in January 2006, pubs were closing at a rate of 26 a month, but now that figure is 36 a week.

Meanwhile, Greene King said it was "delighted" the report had recognised the amount of red tape that affects community pubs.

David Elliott, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: "We can only hope that these findings are taken on board by central government to enable the community pub to thrive long into the future."

At the launch of the report at the Red Lion, in Westminster, today, MP Greg Mulholland said a "clarion call" was being sent out to the government in the hope it would support community pubs.

He said: "The message has to be today that it's time the government work up and smelt the hops."