Local pubs play a crucial role in the social and economic fabric of our communities. This is the key finding of a follow-up report by think-tank Localis, entitled ‘Inn-Valuable 2: unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs’, which was released today at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
The report highlights the significant contribution of the beer and pub sector to the UK economy, with an annual contribution of £34.3 billion and support for over one million jobs. The report also emphasizes the importance of pubs in promoting community cohesion, providing spaces for social interaction, and combating isolation.
According to a YouGov poll conducted for the report, a vast majority of British adults (72%) believe that pubs have a positive impact on their communities. Additionally, 81% of respondents agreed that pubs are important in bringing people together.
However, the report also outlines the policy challenges faced by the pub sector, including tax, regulatory, and planning obstacles. It calls for the government to launch a taskforce to address these challenges and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The report’s authors urge the government to provide short-term support by extending business rates relief for hospitality and increasing the window for this relief to three years. They also call for a review of business rates and excise duty, along with employment incentives to support pub landlords in employing younger staff members.
The report also recommends examining planning policies to support the night-time economy and preserve the role of local pubs as social, cultural, and economic anchors in towns and villages.
Joe Fyans, head of research at Localis, emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of pubs and supporting their continued success. “Pubs are more than just businesses; they are the heart and soul of our communities,” he said.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, echoed these sentiments, stating that “pubs aren’t just about a pint” and highlighting their role in combating loneliness, supporting vulnerable groups, and raising money for charity.
The report includes polling data from YouGov, which shows that among those who have visited a pub in the last three months, more than half (53%) have met a friend, and nearly two-in-five (38%) have met with family. The poll also found that 73% of British adults believe that pubs help combat loneliness in their local area.
The report concludes with a set of policy recommendations, including calls for a taskforce to review business rates and excise duty, provide employment incentives, and examine planning policies. It also urges the government to extend business rates relief for the hospitality sector and freeze beer duty for another year.
The full report and polling data can be found on the Localis website.
