A packet of measures to help pubs and small businesses could be on the way from a future Conservative Government, shadow minister for Culture Media and Sport, Tobias Ellwood, has revealed.
Among the measures being considered by the Tories include business rate reductions to assist under-threat pubs and help them weather the financial storm.
Other plans include a possible six month VAT freeze for small firms, and proposals to ease the burden of regulation and red tape.
The shadow minister outlined his party's thinking in an address to the Best Bar None annual conference staged in Leicester.
Ellwood told delegates the Conservatives appreciated the difficulties currently confronting pubs through the downturn in the economy and effects of the smoking ban.
"If there is a pub under threat, there could be an option to reduce rates for a period of time," he suggested.
Other measures forming "broad brush" Tory ideas include a reduction in corporation tax and a £50bn loan guarantee scheme to help pubs and small businesses through the current difficult period.
He also revealed Tory reservations about the Government's mandatory alcohol retailing code and called for more industry input into the proposals.
"This should not be imposed by Government alone, which we feel is wrong," he said.
The shadow minister also signalled Tory concern over supermarket loss leader pricing and the "pre-loading" drinking problem.
"The price of beer in a pub today is probably five times the price you would find in a supermarket.
"We need to change. We cannot continue this way. There is no way pubs can compete with the price supermarkets sell alcohol.
"Pubs are having to deal with people who are far more propped up than they should be," he told the conference.