MP joins CAMRA calls for VAT cut to boost struggling pubs
Brian Mathew says the cut would give pubs and restaurants "a fighting chance"
One of Wiltshire's MP's is backing calls for the Government to support pubs and restaurants by cutting VAT by 5%.
Brian Mathew has joined calls from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which would ease the strain on the struggling hospitality sector.
Latest figures from CAMRA show more than a thousand pubs have been lost, either closing or through being converted or demolished.
In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Mathew said the figures are worrying: "There’s nothing quite like a good local pub. They're places where people come together, share stories, and build community.
"Once a pub closes, it’s not just a business that disappears, it’s a part of our shared community."
Andrew Hesketh, Chairman of the Salisbury & South Wiltshire CAMRA branch said the city has lost almost half of its pubs in the last quarter of a century.
"Obviously higher bills is the main thing," he said, adding that people have less money to go out to pubs and restaurants.
He told us the 5% reduction would cut 4p off a pint of beer, judging by the average price of a pint in Salisbury, which is around £4.85p.
CAMRA is also calling for a reform in business rates, with Andrew telling us that pubs are being treated the same as other large businesses.
"Recently when the rates relief was ended, some people found their rates bill increasing four or five times. It's just money they can't afford," he said.
He's called for the Government to do more to encourage people to visit local pubs, saying making it more affordable would bring back a bit of enjoyment the public is being denied.
Andrew also called for MP's who were in the Pub Support Group within Parliament to "come out of the woodwork" and speak up for pubs.