Campaign to save pubs under threat

Feb 15 2009 by Michael Kelly, Sunday Sun

He’s competing against big pub chains such as Wetherspoons, who sell their beer at low prices, and the supermarkets with their loss-leading alcohol offers.

Neil, pictured below, said: “Wetherspoons charge 99p a pint for Greene King IPA and it costs me £1.39 a pint just to get it in the door.

“I’m tied to a landlord, one of the large pub companies. They aren’t traditional pub companies . . . they’re run by accountants. They tie us to buying beers from nominated brewers.

“In the run-up to Christmas, the big supermarkets were selling bottles of Becks at 41p a bottle. They were costing me £1.30. If I wasn’t to buy them through the company I could be thrown out.”

He added: “There is a lack of investment. Tenants pay for all the repairs. All the pub companies do is collect money, and every barrel of beer I bring in they make money too. I’d like to see extra discounts so I can make a living.”

However, the British Beer and Pub Association, BBPA — which represents many of the large pub companies — defended their reputation.

A spokesman said: “While the system is not perfect, we’re keen to work with tenants to give them the best deal we can. We’re not fat cats making a fortune.”

He said it was easy to criticise the pub companies but added that they weren’t really the problem, and claimed many invested heavily.

However, according to an all-party Parliamentary campaign called Save the Pub, it is one of the problems.

Among the seven aims of the campaign is a call for reform of the current model of the “tie”, which “makes it impossible for some licensees to make a living”.

Other points include getting the Government to look at supermarket beer prices, calling for lower duty levels and scrapping planned rises.

One of its backers is Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, who said he will be lobbying his party leader and chancellor not to put up beer duty at the next budget due in March or April.

He said: “We think that’s unfair. The pub ends up paying more. Given the economic circumstances, we know if they shut we end up paying more to people on the dole.”

An “axe the beer tax” is already up and running, with over 100 MPs having signed an Early Day Motion in support of it.

It is a joint effort between the BBPA and the Campaign For Real Ale, who not usually bedfellows. The BBPA spokesman said: “Tax makes up 33 per cent of the cost of a pint.

“With the duty escalator the chancellor put in place to put duty up two pc above inflation over the next four years, that would push it towards 40pc.”

While the outlook looks gloomy, campaigners — including Mr Anderson — still feels that something can be achieved, saying: “I’m an eternal optimist . . . my glass is always half full!”

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