No comfort for pubs and brewers facing a long winter

Responding to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement, CAMRA Chief Executive Tom Stainer said: 

 “The UK’s world-renowned pubs, social clubs, brewers and cider makers are a vital part of the social fabric of our communities that need and deserve help to make sure that they survive and thrive. But businesses and pubgoers will have found little comfort in today’s Budget statement. 

“The lack of clarity on whether or not the hospitality sector will get help with energy costs beyond April 2023 makes it impossible for licensees to plan and risks more of our beloved locals calling last orders for good as they struggle to cope with rising costs and customers tightening their belts. 

“With consumers feeling the squeeze, it has been disappointing that the Chancellor didn’t announce any extra help to keep pub going affordable, such as re-introducing the freeze in alcohol duties to avoid additional increases in the price of a pint or bringing forward plans for a new, lower rate of duty for draught beers.

“CAMRA will continue to campaign for extra support and a fair deal for the nation’s pubs, clubs, breweries and cider producers.” 

Commenting on the forthcoming business rates revaluation in England, Tom Stainer added: 

“Extending and increasing business rates relief for hospitality businesses in England in 2023/24 will certainly be welcomed by licensees. However, this is not a substitute for proper reform of the business rates system to end the unfair burden on pubs. 

“CAMRA will now be looking closely at the results of the latest revaluation and can only hope that the pub sector has a fairer share of the burden than before.”