South Cotswolds MP urges action to help rural pubs
Roz Savage says they're more than a business in rural villages
South Cotswolds MP says Government must intervene to give countryside pubs some "much needed breathing space".
Dr Roz Savage is making the call after numerous conversations with landlords in her constituency, with many telling her they're under "enormous pressure".
"The message is always the same," the Lib Dem said. "Costs are rising, margins are shrinking and a lot of them are really worried about whether they can keep on going."
She's calling for the Government to act by cutting VAT for hospitality from 20% to 15%, restore the business rates relief that many pubs will be dependant on and to reverse the rise in employer national insurance contributions, which she says has already seen landlords reduce hours or lay staff off.
Pubs at the heart of rural life
Dr Savage told us that pubs are more than just a business, they are part of the fabric of life in the countryside.
"They're places where people meet, where people celebrate, where people support one another and build community," she said, warning that if these pubs are to close, it is unlikely that they will reopen.
She spoke of the Tunnel House Inn, near Coates, which has undergone a recent refurbishment, saying the landlord has taken a risk to create a welcoming atmosphere in a unique location.
Our pubs really are at the heart of our towns and villages and the government should be helping them to thrive, not making it harder for them to survive.
Early this year, the Government announced business rates support for pubs after warnings from the sector that further tax changes could lead to more closures and job losses.
A 15% tax relief for pubs and music venues came into effect last month.