Pubs called to engage with MPs this summer

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) is calling on pubs across the UK to write to their MPs and invite them to visit the sites at the heart of their constituencies. 

As part of the BII's new #MyPub campaign, the trade body is encouraging operators to show MPs the positive impact their businesses have within their communities.

By getting MPs through the door, licensees can share the realities of trading and ask for support in gaining the investment needed to contribute growth in their local economy.

While many pubs are seeing turnovers return to pre-pandemic levels, energy costs, multiple price rises on food, drink and other business essentials, as well as continued staff shortages, have meant a huge drop in profitability.

"Our members need investment to power their growth and are simply asking for the playing field to be levelled, allowing them the opportunity to deliver their full potential and support their local communities as they do so," says ​Steve Alton, CEO of the BII. "For the longest time, they have shouldered the burden of unfair taxes when compared to other high street venues or online businesses.

"We have seen the positive impact that the current business rates relief has had, giving operators a little bit of breathing space as they face ridiculously high energy prices and food, drink and wage inflation. With inflation still dangerously high, they now need some longer-term surety to enable them to plan for the future growth of their businesses.

“We are calling on government to reduce the tax burden on our members and pubs across the country, by providing longer term structural support with a priority to reduce VAT, as well as a continuation of the current business rates relief for a further three years."

For more information about the #MyPub campaign, visit the BII’s website.

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