Charity wants guaranteed support for rural pubs

A national charity that supports rural communities and businesses has called on the Government to offer guaranteed help to community-owned pubs across the UK, regardless of reopening dates.

With thousands of pubs across the UK closing or under threat, the Plunkett Foundation’s ‘Policy Call to Action’ demands:

Absolute clarity in all nations for every phase of reopening pubs

• Permit the sale of takeaway alcohol in closed containers until pubs are able to fully reopen
• Extend the business rate relief for hospitality for the whole of 2021/22 financial year, mirroring the support in place in Scotland
• Extend the 5% VAT rate on food and non-alcoholic drinks for the whole of 2021/2022 financial year
• Extend the Job Retention Scheme for a further 6 months, or until such a time that pubs are able to trade without restrictions
• Cut the tax duties paid on beer by 25%

Chris Cowcher, The charity’s head of community business, said: “It is clear that the government must base it action on health data and infection rates and we clearly understand this.

“However, community pubs, often operating with volunteers at the core of their business have invested heavily in ensuring they can create safe and Covid-secure environments.

“They need to be given the confidence that they will continue to be supported throughout this next phase, it must not be the case that reopening open under limited circumstances is seen as the point at which support is simply switched off.

‘Covid-secure greenspace’

“As has been widely reported, with community pubs expected to only be able to open to outdoor customers initially then we’d like to see local authorities and councils working with these local businesses to identify and use Covid-secure greenspace or town space – particularly for those businesses where no beer garden exists at all.

“Whilst we hope the PM’s roadmap will help restore some of the community pub’s past freedoms the Budget will be vital for their long term survival.”

The Plunkett Foundation supports a network of 700 community businesses including 150 community pubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It insists rural hostelries are #MorethanaPub and play a much deeper role than simply providing a service – they can empower communities to address issues such as isolation and wellbeing, as well an engendering a vital community spirit.

The charity also wants the public to play their part by:

• Writing to their MP supporting Plunkett’s ‘Policy Call to Action’ for government action
• Supporting the community pub movement across the UK by becoming a member of the Plunkett Foundation
• Supporting our advisory and training service for pubs by donating to its community pubs campaign

To support Plunkett Foundation’s campaign to save local pubs visit www.plunkett.co.uk