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Support for pubs and brewing were welcomed in the Welsh government’s draft budget, but much more still needs to be done.
CAMRA Wales director Chris Charters (pictured) said: “Continuing the 40 per cent discount on business rates bills in the hospitality sector for another year is certainly welcome – but this alone isn’t enough to stop our pubs being lost to the communities they serve.
“We desperately need the Welsh government to follow in Westminster’s footsteps and commit to introducing a new, fairer business rates system as quickly as possible.
“This new system must properly recognise the community benefit of pubs, which are a vital part of our social fabric, and which deserve to be protected.
“Without permanently ending the overpayment that pubs are subjected to – and levelling the playing field between online and bricks-and-mortar businesses – we risk seeing more pubs here being forced to close their doors for good.”
