British Beer & Pub Association

The voice of brewers & pubs. Speaking up for businesses who brew 90% of British beer and look after 20,000 of our pubs. 🔗

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

“A great summer of sunshine and sport brought customers through the door to connect with friends and family, but strong sales are not the same as healthy profits."

Our joint survey with @UKHofficial, the @TheBIIAB and @HospUlster has found that 4 out of 5 hospitality businesses report that they are holding back investment due to the high cost of doing business.

It also reveals the extent to which hospitality businesses are not currently incentivised to hire new talent, with over half stating that reductions in national insurance contributions would allow them to shield against further job losses.

We're calling for the new Prime Minister and Chancellor to build on their support for pubs by permanently reforming business rates, freezing beer duty, increasing the draught discount and keeping young people at the heart of the sector through an urgent review of employment costs.

Read more in the @morningad: https://t.co/wlntN7mUUw

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

https://t.co/n9ckvdLcoa

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

Ahead of next week’s Budget, we’re calling on the Government to freeze beer duty and widen the draught discount for pubs. UK brewers are under huge cost pressures, and pay some of the highest rates of beer duty in Europe, twelve times that of Germany and Spain.

New research with @OxfordEconomics shows that raising the relief to 30% would help make pints more affordable and support almost 7,000 jobs across the industry, with close to half going to under-25s.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

"The Prime Minister has pledged that the cavalry is coming, which is why we’re asking the government to tackle the root of the problem through a permanently fair and sustainable rates burden, freezing beer duty, increasing draught relief and reviewing employment costs for under-25s"

Today we've released new research finding that almost 300 pubs have closed so far this year, with a further 60 forecast to close by the end of 2026.

When a pub closes, it's not just publicans, workers and high streets that take a hit, the treasury loses out on £200k per venue.

With the Budget just over a fortnight away, we're calling on the new Government to build on its fantastic support for the sector by addressing the root causes driving these year-on-year closures.

Click here to read more: https://t.co/FR97NlD5VR

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

We've just published new research with our partners at @OxfordEconomics revealing the significant impact that pubs and brewers have on generating growth in the UK.

One of our sector's biggest strengths lies in its recruitment of young people, with almost half of the workforce being between the ages of 16-24.

These figures aren't just contained to any one area of the UK, with pubs and brewing generating £3.2bn in GVA in each region - that's £37.8bn across the country.

At the Budget, we're calling on the Government to deliver on its fantastic pledge to support the sector by permanently reforming business rates, freezing draught duty, increasing the draught discount for pubs, reviewing employment costs, and fairer VAT.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

"Increasing the draught discount and freezing beer duty at its current rate would be an undisputed win-win, meaning more jobs, more affordable pints and greater investment."

With just weeks to go until the Budget, we're calling on Government to continue their fantastic support for our sector and back our brewers by freezing beer duty at its current rate and increasing the draught discount for beer sold in pubs to 30%.

This move will not only ease affordability pressures for brewers and pubs, but it will also ensure over 7,000 jobs across the sector, with over 3,000 for under-25s.

We're also calling on the Treasury to permanently reform business rates, review employment costs for under-25s and reduce VAT for hospitality.

Read more in The @Telegraph: https://t.co/UmMxBZobxF

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

"This would help the local stay open, keep people in work, and remain the backbone of the community."

Reports came out over the weekend speculating that the Government is looking to make changes that could help the sector, particularly smaller pubs.

According to our estimates, raising the small business rates relief threshold from £12,000 to £18,000 would pull 5,000 locals out of paying business rates - something we've long called for.

With over 2,000 pubs having closed their doors since 2020, this decision would be a vital lifeline for the industry and keep pubs at the heart of communities across the country.

Ahead of the Budget, we're calling on the Government to support the wider industry through permanent business rates reform, a freeze in the current beer duty rate, an increase in the draught discount to 30%, a review of employment costs for young people and a fairer VAT regime for pubs and hospitality.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

We welcome to the Welsh Government's recent move to support the nation's pubs, however any changes must match the relief that Westminster has committed to implementing next year.

Please read our full response below.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

Last week our team paid a visit to the Museum Tavern, Holborn.

Whilst hundreds queued for the Bayeux Tapestry just down the road, @GreeneKingIPA unveiled their very own free "Beer Tapestry" exhibition.

It's a stunning eight-metre long embroidered artwork, telling the story of beer in Britain from the Norman Conquest right up to the modern day.

We also had the pleasure of sampling Greene King's limited edition Beer Tapestry ale, a dark, copper cask beer.

Cheers to Greene King for inviting us along!

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

Pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, nightclubs and leisure venues are the heart of our communities, but rising costs are pushing many to breaking point.

More than 800 hospitality businesses have written to the Prime Minister, calling for him to deliver on his support for a lower rate of hospitality VAT.

Support the #VATsTheProblem campaign. Sign the petition.

Click here to sign the petition 👉 https://t.co/xYzBgjlSQK

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

https://t.co/bc7DFhxuYa

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

In Partnership with Tourism for All, the voice of accessible tourism and travel in the UK, we're pleased to announce our free Disability Awareness Primer Course.

Pubs are places where everyone is welcome. But sometimes, without realising it, we put up barriers to that welcome, especially for those who are disabled or less mobile.

If a customer can’t access a pub, bar or restaurant then they will go elsewhere. That means that all their family, friends and colleagues will go elsewhere as well. Not only is the business lost but the customer’s experience is zero or even negative.

This course is essential for anyone who wants to ensure that pubs remain truly open to all, and we're more than proud to support this initiative. 

Please find the sign up link in the comments below and get yourself a certificate upon completion.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

"We're yet to hear of anyone who relishes having a pint against the backdrop of a speakerphone call or someone loudly playing a video."

With the news that J D Wetherspoon are banning customers from playing music out loud and taking calls on their speakerphone, we expect that this move will be greatly appreciated by customers and staff.

Peace and quiet aside, a clear policy makes it easier for both customers and staff to know what they can and can't do.

Click here to read the full article: https://t.co/OR5rQjHftg

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

"What's important is that people can make a success of their pubs, which is why we want the Prime Minister to build on his brilliant support for pubs.""

Congratulations to our friends at @greeneking for their record demand from prospective landlords, with almost 1.5k during the first six months of the year alone.

However, with 2,000 pubs having shut their doors since 2020 - we need the Government to ensure that these aspirations are realised by reducing the regulatory burden holding the sector back.

Click here to read more in the @DailyMirror : https://t.co/W9KjKpIVfZ

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

Behind every pint is a team of skilled brewers working hard. But rising costs are putting increasing pressure on Britain's breweries, making it harder to invest in the future.

Let's support the people behind every pint, join the campaign today: https://t.co/IIDf8YrqsL

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

The Government's own impact assessment on its plans to restrict zero hours contracts reveals a potential £3bn bill for businesses across the country, according to @thetimes.

With our sector supporting over one million jobs, these measures could come at a significant cost to pubs and brewers that are already feeling the pinch.

Find our full response to this analysis below.

[British Beer & Pub Association @beerandpub]

The World Cup has been a huge success story for Britain's pubs, with an additional 30 million pints poured during England and Scotland's games.

With fans up and down the country choosing their local to cheer on the tournament's most memorable moments, publicans have had plenty to celebrate too, with pubs making an extra £150 million.

Every game proved that the connection between pubs and live sport has never been stronger. Cheers!