In a look at the issues likely to affect the trade in the year ahead, Valentine claimed that the ongoing problem of supermarkets selling beers for a cheaper rate than the on-trade “couldn’t be worse news for UK pubs”.
Supermarkets have been offering cut-price Christmas deals, selling cans of beer for less than the equivalent of 80p a pint, an investigation by The Morning Advertiser revealed this month.
‘Smaller pubs will struggle’
Valentine said he wished to see relief for business rates for pubs in England and Wales which are set to come into place in April 2017.
He said: “Larger pubs will be adjusting to steep new rates while smaller pubs will continue to struggle, despite licensees being willing to be more adaptable than ever.”
He maintained that a “further cut” to beer duty in the spring Budget would help “stabilise” the industry.
‘Planning loopholes’
He also claimed that “planning loopholes” are still a long-standing issue that contribute to pub closures.
Valentine added: “Currently, a pub can be turned into a number of different uses overnight without going through the usual planning processes that allow the public to support or object to it.
“This is because pubs have permitted development rights on them.”
He stressed that pubs registered as assets of community values (ACVs) — a temporary measure that forces pubs to go through a planning process — are not getting enough support.
Valentine said: “It is no longer enough to simply shift the burden of responsibility onto campaigners, activists and local councils.
“The Government must change planning laws by removing permitted development rights and giving pubs the same protection as other buildings.”
‘Firm gaze’ on anti-alcohol lobby
Valentine also insisted that the industry should keep a “firm gaze” on the anti-alcohol lobby and its attempts to “discredit sensible drinking” in pubs and other social environments.
He said: “As the rhetoric increases, we will see more and more people turn towards drinking at home, which deprives them of participating in the invaluable pub setting and connecting with their local community.”