The Scottish Beer and Pub Association has welcomed the one year cap on business rate increases in Scotland for the hospitality sector, at 12.5 per cent, as announced by the Scottish Government. The SBPA had urged the Scottish Finance Secretary Derek MacKay to introduce the cap, following concerns over the impact of the revaluation of business rates on some Scottish pub … [Read more...]
Business Rates – Brigid Simmonds welcomes review of transitional relief and reiterates call for wider pub reforms
Brigid Simmonds, BBPA Chief Executive, comments: “There is a huge need for more transitional relief for the pubs most badly affected, so this review is welcome. It should also look at moving large pubs, whose turnover does not necessarily reflect their profitability, into a category where their first year increase will be capped. “However, a wider review is needed, so that … [Read more...]
Beer sales down in 2016 – penny off a pint in the Budget would safeguard jobs and pubs, says BBPA
Sales of British beer fell by one per cent in 2016, prompting renewed calls from the industry for a one penny cut in beer duty in the Budget on 8th March. The fall means that 78 million fewer pints of beer were sold in 2016 compared with the previous year. Overall, however, sales in the past three years have stabilised after years of sharp decline, says the BBPA, a trend … [Read more...]
ALMR intensifies business rates campaign
The ALMR has intensified its campaign to bring about business rates reform with a letter to the Telegraph. The letter highlights the importance of pubs and bars to the UK’s high streets and calls for immediate action to safeguard venues. ALMR Chief Executive Kate Nicholls has also spoken to the BBC highlighting the problem for the UK’s licensed hospitality sector. ALMR Chief … [Read more...]
Moor’s Old Freddy Walker is crowned Champion Winter Beer of Britain at the National Winter Ales Festival
A brewery owned by a Californian has scooped the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Champion Winter Beer of Britain award on the opening day of the National Winter Ales Festival, taking place in Norwich this year. Following over a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, Old Freddy Walker (7.5 per cent ABV) from the Bristol-based … [Read more...]