James Evans MS has repeated calls for the UK Government and Welsh Government to work together on saving pubs in Brecon & Radnorshire.
The UK Government’s recent Budget brought a ‘Brexit pubs guarantee’ which will include the duty on draught products in pubs being up to 11p lower than the duty in supermarkets from August this year.
Last week, Evans called on the Welsh Government to do more to protect pubs, asking the Minister to “support our pubs and hospitality industry during the cost-of-living crisis.”
It has been reported that pub and bar bankruptcies across the United Kingdom are near the highest level in a decade, with 512 going bust in 2022.
Despite the gloomy picture, there are success stories – a local pub, the Royal Oak in Pencelli, won runner-up for best rural pub in Wales at the Countryside Alliance awards in January.
James said:
“Pubs are the cornerstone of our communities and need support.
“The UK Government’s announcement that duty on tap beer in pubs will be up to 11p lower than in supermarkets is certainly a good start!
“It’s clear that more still needs to be done though, and I really want to see Welsh Government and UK Government working together to save our pubs.”
