Press Release

22/08/2022

This round’s on us – Conservative leadership contenders invited down to their local to talk about the future of the UK’s pubs

The Campaign for Real Ale says the future of many community pubs are now under threat from rocketing energy costs and a dip in consumer confidence.

Conservative leadership contenders Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have been invited for a drink of their choice at their favourite pub for a chat with CAMRA about the need to protect the UK’s beloved locals and safeguard the country’s tradition of socialising at the pub.

CAMRA has offered to get the drinks in for both contenders – if they are willing to meet CAMRA representatives to hear about the benefits that pubs and breweries bring to communities and the economy across the country.

CAMRA also want both candidates to commit to action to help businesses cope with sky-high energy prices, the rising cost of goods and a dip in consumer confidence. It comes as research from CAMRA last month found that for the first time most people (52%) think the average price of a pint is unaffordable.

The group, which represents around 170,000 pub goers, wants to see the next Prime Minister commit to protecting and promoting the UK’s world-famous pubs and breweries by:

Taking action on astronomical energy bills faced by businesses in the beer and pubs sector
More help with the burden of business rates – and changing the system altogether so pubs aren’t penalised and online businesses pay a fair share
Bringing forward the introduction of the new system of taxing alcohol, with a bigger cut in duty for beer and cider served on tap in pubs, taprooms and social clubs
Making sure this new system of duty on draught beer and cider applies to smaller containers so small, independent breweries, cider producers and pubs can benefit

Commenting, CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona said:

“I’m inviting Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to join me for a drink in their local so we can chat about how our pubs are a force for good in our communities. Whether you drink alcohol or not, they play a valuable role in bringing people together, tackling loneliness and social isolation.”

“Sadly, many pubs which survived the pandemic are now under threat once again from rocketing energy bills and the hugely increased cost of goods which means many licensees are struggling to turn a profit.

“Without help from the next Prime Minister, we risk pubs and breweries closing their doors for good – with devastating effects for communities and local economies up and down the country.

“I hope that both candidates take up this offer and meet me to chat about how they can help to save our pubs.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

A YouGov survey commissioned by CAMRA found that 52% of respondents said that the average cost of a pint at the bar was unaffordable – up from 42% of respondents to the same question in 2019.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 1783 adults for the 2022 figures. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd and 25th July 2022.

The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

The total sample size was 1783 adults for 2019 figures. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12th and 15th July 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

In your opinion, is the average price of a pint of beer in a pub in the UK affordable or unaffordable, or is it about right?	2022	2019
Unweighted base	1788	2055
Base: All UK Adults who visit the pub	1783	2055
Very affordable	1%	2%
Fairly affordable	10%	11%
About right	18%	20%
Fairly unaffordable	42%	34%
Very unaffordable	10%	8%
Don’t know	19%	25%
Net: Affordable	11%	13%
Net: Unaffordable	52%	42%

Text of letter to leadership candidates:

Rt Hon Liz Truss MP

11 Lord North Street

LONDON. SW1P 3LA

19th August 2022

Dear Liz Truss,

Join me for a drink in your local to discuss the benefits of the UK’s pubs

I am writing as the National Chairman for CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. We are a consumer organisation with around 170,000 members across the UK, and campaign for great quality real ale, cider, perry and community pubs.

Beer and pubs are a unique part of our culture and heritage, and CAMRA seeks to make sure we have high-quality beer and thriving pubs in every community. Pubs play a pivotal role in communities across the country, providing a space for local people to meet, helping to tackle loneliness, and having a positive impact on the personal wellbeing of pub-goers.

On behalf of our members, I would like to ask you to make protecting and promoting the UK’s pubs, social clubs, breweries, cider producers a priority if you become Prime Minister.

Our members, and consumers up and down the country, are worried that businesses that survived the pandemic may have to close their doors for good if they don’t get urgent help to deal with the increased cost of goods, equipment and ingredient shortages, skyrocketing energy bills and a dip in consumer confidence.

I fear that our country’s centuries old tradition of socialising in the pub may become unaffordable, and that our beloved local pubs and the UK’s world renowned beers, breweries and brands may not survive these unprecedented times without a support package.

That’s why CAMRA would like to see support for the following measures if you become Prime Minister:

An energy price rise cap for pubs and breweries and grant support for increased costs
The new preferential rate of duty for draught beer and cider to offer a 20% reduction, to be introduced as quickly as possible and to apply to containers of 20L and above so that all pubs and small brewers can benefit
Help with business rates for the beer and pubs sector in England – with funding for the devolved administrations to do the same – and a commitment to reforming the system so that it is fairer for pubs
A cut in VAT on food and drink served in pubs, clubs and restaurants, to boost consumer confidence

If you find the time, I would be delighted to buy you a drink, on CAMRA, at your local pub to talk further about our aims and vision for the beer and pub industry today and into the future.

I look forward to hearing about your plans for our Great British Beer and Pubs.

Yours sincerely,

Nik Antona

National Chairman

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)

CC: Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP

Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP