Bars across Lancashire calling for a freeze to alcohol duty
It comes ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement
Bars across Lancashire are calling for a freeze to alcohol duty, saying any more financial pressures will be "crippling" to the hospitality sector.
It comes ahead of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.
Jeremy Hunt is set to unveil tax cuts, measures to boost business investment and a tougher approach to welfare in his autumn statement later today.
However, there are concerns from pubs and bars about possible hikes in duty on some alcohols.
Liam Stemson is the cofounder of the Fairham Distillery in Preston, he said if the duty for alcohol increases: "You will definitely see businesses close next year, 100 percent.
"Its such a sad thing to say but that's the reality of where we are today.
"If he does increase it again we might see our production reduce because the demand is not there cause our costs might have to go up.
"To put it into perspective the cost of the spirit duty on our gins is about £12 a bottle, and that's including VAT.
"Its full circle, its not just us as a distillery its the whole industry and I think the chancellor needs to understand the impact that its already had."
He added: "When you look at the other side of things like beers there's caps and there's breaks for small producers whereas for spirits there isn't that.
"We are treated like the big guys who have massive marketing budgets and its the case that we're feeling a bit abandoned with it all really."