Tax breaks urged for community pubs

[Pete_London]

Pubs which improve community life should be given tax breaks to help them survive, according to a report by a leading think-tank.

With 16 public houses currently believed to be closing each week, the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recommends a 50% business rate relief for those that can prove they act as community hubs.

The report says this would help prevent the loss of more pubs which strengthen local networks, after a survey commissioned by the IPPR found a majority of people see pubs as the best place to keep up to speed with their community.

The British Beer & Pub Association this week reported 140 million fewer pints of beer were sold in pubs last year, as they struggle to cope with competition from supermarkets, increases in tax on beer and changes in consumers' tastes.

Rick Muir, associate director at IPPR, said: "Government must stop using a one-size-fits-all approach to licensed premises which is killing off our community pubs. Instead, responsible well-run community pubs should be encouraged and supported.

"Our research shows community pubs aren't just places to drink but also places where people meet their neighbours, where local clubs hold meetings and events, and which support many important local services such as village post offices and general stores."

According to the researchers' calculations, pubs that serve as community hubs can generate between £20,000 and £120,000 of "social value" each year. To qualify to have half of their business rates back, pubs would have to show how they serve local communities by offering such benefits as job opportunities or free space for charities.

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "We will be looking at these proposals in detail, but we can certainly agree with some of the key points - the immense social value of pubs, and the pressing need to address the huge increases in beer tax we have seen in recent years."

Communities Minister Bob Neill said: "This Government is already taking decisive action to support community pubs. We have doubled small business rate relief for two-and-a-half years, which gives up to 100% rate relief for small firms including pubs.

"Country pubs may also be eligible for rural business rate relief. On top of this, we have abolished the last government's cider tax, are cutting red tape on live music in pubs, and are stopping unfair sales of alcohol below cost-price by supermarkets."

Source: Tax breaks urged for community pubs - Yahoo!

Just to add pubs are closing down in my area, being sold off turned in to flats etc..

 

[allaboveboard]

They should vastly reduce tax on all keg beer. And slap it on cans and bottles etc.

 

[oneman]

According to the researchers' calculations, pubs that serve as community hubs can generate between £20,000 and £120,000 of "social value" each year. To qualify to have half of their business rates back, pubs would have to show how they serve local communities by offering such benefits as job opportunities or free space for charities.

Ah, that is how they would qualify ?

TBH, I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Pubs close because there is not enough business which seems to indicate there is not enough demand. So why would the tax payer pick up the bill for a business that does not have a working business model ?

We have had several pubs close in my area so we now have 3 pubs and 2 carvery style pubs in a town of 35,000. The ones that have survived have done so because they are decent.

 

[digidude]

i live in a small village at the top of a welsh valley, when i moved here 13 years ago, there was about 15 different pubs / clubs in total, you can walk from the very top of the cluster of small villages, to the other end, in about an hour

now theres about 8, most of which are dead most of the time

when places like tescos / asdas etc can sell beer for cheaper than a can of coke in a pub, its no wonder that people are building their own 'bars' at home.

in the last 2 years, me and the missus have probably been 'out' 2, maybe 3 times. if we're going to have a drink with mates, we all chuck a tenner into a pot, and ill go into a supermarket in the week when im passing, for £50 between 5 of us, instead of getting 3 pints each in a pub, we can get 30 odd cans and 2 litres of vodka between us, can smoke without having to go outside, and choose what to have on the telly at all times

 

[speedy1234]

digi u forgot.. and putting up with idiots that just go out get drunk and fight lol

 

[Pete_London]

Thats another thing playing the footie sly costs £900 pound a month must be having a laugh there, Smoking ban also had it's part to play in the decline. :rant: