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Celebrate British Pub Week!

October 25, 2011

Posted by Editor under Campaigns

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IT’S BRITISH PUB WEEK starting from Friday 28th October 2011. It’s an opportunity to shout out about your local pub – and perhaps even to go and give them some support by having a pint or two!

British Pub Week runs from Friday until Saturday 6th November and so encompasses traditionally busy times for your local boozer – namely Halloween and Guy Fawkes night.

Half way to supporting my local!

According to the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, almost 1 million people in the UK depend on beer and pubs for work while the beer and pub trade adds over £21bn to the UK economy every year, and £13.4bn in UK wages are dependent on the trade annually. Pubs also raise around £110m a year for charity at an average rate of about £3,000 per pub.

The Chair of British Pub Week Inez Ward said, “This is the trade’s chance to shout about the benefits of the great British pub, such as the important role pubs play in communities and in social cohesion, the benefits that the pub brings to the national economy and employment and the continued support of charities. It is an opportunity to celebrate this wonderful institution.”

But this celebration of the British Pub is not just about promoting your local – there is a serious side to British Pub Week as well: The week also ties in with the Morning Advertiser’s Thrive on 5 campaign to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector. The Treasury ruled out such a VAT cut in August this year, but publicans behind the campaign hope to get the targeted VAT cut by 2014.

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, is taking part in British Pub Week. Graham said: “The local pub is a great British institution and part of the fabric of our society. Pubs have long been the lifeblood of communities, bringing friends and family together under one roof. There are some terrific pubs in the East Riding – over 80 in my constituency alone - and I plan on enjoying a pint or two in my own local. I want to play a part in keeping this British tradition alive.”

In true Parliamentary style we say “Hear! Hear!” to that.