Election hopefuls are backing the pub

Ninety per cent of parliamentary candidates in winnable seats believe more should be done to support pubs.

In a ComRes poll, commissioned by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), 101 candidates who are expected to win their seats, were quizzed.

Overall 97 per cent said the pub is an important part of British life and 95 per cent said it makes a valuable contribution to the economy.

Most also agreed that the pub is more important to communities than post offices, parish churches, village halls and community centres.

Nine out of 10 said that an important part of Britain's social and community fabric is being lost with so many pubs closing every week.

And most want the next government to pursue policies that promote the British pub - with candidates scoring an average 3.8 out of 5 for the importance of promoting pubs as places for responsible drinking.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: "It is clear from this poll that parliamentary candidates from all parties and from all parts of the country back the Great British pub.

"They recognise the importance of the pub to the fabric of local communities and the economic contribution that pubs make to the economy as a whole.

"Candidates are rightly concerned about dozens of pubs closing each week in their own local communities and believe that more should be done to promote what is a great British institution."

Meanwhile, 320 parliamentary candidates have responded to a BBPA call and signed a pledge to 'Back the Pub'.

This urges government, industry, local authorities and others to work together to support British pubs as part of efforts to enhance community life and promote economic recovery.

Of the 320 candidates 111 are Labour, 76 Tory and 123 Lib Dem, with the remainder from smaller parties.