An urgent package of support is needed to save our world famous pubs as England and Scotland both put into lockdown again

THE Campaign for Pubs, the national grassroots campaign group representing pubs, publicans and pub goers has issued an urgent plea to the UK and Scottish Governments to announce urgent packages of support for all UK pubs, publicans and their families as lockdowns commence in England and Scotland. Earlier in the day Nicola Sturgeon announced a lockdown for Scotland and Boris Johnson has now announced a full lockdown for England. Pubs in both Wales and Northern Ireland are also currently closed.  The levels of support for pubs are currently wholly inadequate, with pubs having already lost their trade for many months of 2020, including the all important December trade in many areas. Many publicans are already in considerable debt and already some pubs have closed. The current level of grant support isn't enough to cover ongoing costs, especially rent, never mind support publicans and their families, so urgent action is needed to avoid mass pub closures and hardship. There also needs to be support for small brewers and other suppliers whose businesses are threatened due to pubs being closed. Without urgent, adequate support, many pubs, including pubs that have survived for centuries and 2 world wars, will be lost; and many families reliant on pubs and hospitality face hardship and homelessness.

Now that it is known that pubs all over the UK will not be allowed to open their doors again for weeks, the Campaign for Pubs, with the support of 'The Pub Landlord' Al Murray, are calling for an urgent package of support to save pubs and stop families losing their homes including:-

1. Closure grants increased to at least ₤1000 a week to actually cover costs, avoid business failure and prevent hardship.

2. A statutory rent code including the right to a rent review, to stop unreasonable rents that don't reflect trading conditions and a presumption of no commercial rent during forced closures.

3. A business rates holiday in 2021/22.

4. VAT of 5% on all pub/hospitality sales, including on all drinks, to support ALL pubs (not just places that sell food)

5. A tailored package of support, including business rates relief for small brewers and other suppliers, whose businesses are threatened by pubs being closed

In yet another blow for pubs in England, the UK Government has this time banned takeaway of alcohol; whilst supermarkets and off-licences continue to be allowed to sell alcohol without any restriction. Deliveries are allowed but will simply not be economical for the vast majority of pubs. Even the UK Government's guidance was confusing and there is particular confusion around pubs that also operate as shops, as some do and many pubs have an off license, including in areas where there is no other facility that does. The Campaign for Pubs are calling on the Government to change their position on this, as they did in the November lockdown, initially banning takeaways before reversing that decision. The Campaign believe that rather than once again scapegoating and unfairly discriminating against pubs, the Government should instead urge people not to break the rules whether taking away cans from the supermarket or coffees from Costa. The Campaign for Pubs is also calling for the money rightly returned by supermarkets, who benefited from the business rates holiday despite being able to trade, to be used to provide the urgently needed adequate grants for pubs and hospitality, that have borne the brunt of the lockdowns and restrictions whilst supermarkets have been unaffected.

Greg Mulholland, Campaign Director for the Campaign for Pubs said:- "An urgent package of support is needed to save our world famous pubs. Ministers need to realise now that unless they act decisively and provide adequate grants to get pubs through another lockdown, the future of many beloved, important and historic pubs is at risk and the future for many families is bleak. Without urgent, adequate support, many pubs, including pubs that have survived for centuries and 2 world wars, will be lost; and many families reliant on pubs and hospitality face hardship and homelessness. Once again, pubs have been unfairly scapegoated with the ban on takeaways and the Campaign for Pubs is calling for this to be reversed. It's wrong for pubs to be prevented from operating as off licences, whilst supermarkets continue to trade without any restrictions."

Paul Crossman, Chair of the Campaign for Pub and a licensee in York said:- "As we enter a 3rd national lockdown, for England and Scotland, the situation for thousands of pubs across the UK now looks truly dire. If the Government does not immediately announce a much strengthened package of financial grant support for pubs and their suppliers, then the industry faces real catastrophe. Communities across the nation will face the prospect of losing their beloved social hubs, and the families that run them will be facing severe and long lasting hardship. The current grant support is woefully inadequate even to cover basic fixed costs, which for some continues to include full property costs. For those pubs this is the most pressing existential threat, so the Government must now act by replacing the current voluntary Code on rents with mandatory measures to give publicans substantial backdated relief on property costs for businesses that once again simply cannot trade. They must also urgently provide income support for the great many publicans currently excluded from eligibility for whatever reason."

Dawn Hopkins, Vice Chair of the Campaign for Pubs and licensee of the Rose, Norwich said:- "Publicans up and down the country have been told to shut their doors, including this time even for alcohol takeaways during this lockdown, but we are still not being given anywhere near enough financial support to protect our livelihoods and our families. The financial and emotional strain on publicans; and our suppliers including small brewers; is immense, and the support we have been given since the restrictive tier system and now this lockdown is substantially less than during the 1st lockdown, yet we still have bills to pay, our families to feed.  Government needs to realise and act on the fact that we cannot continue like this, that we cannot survive like this and that our pubs will not reopen without a proper support package put in place and delivered swiftly and efficiently. The future of thousands of pubs, publicans and small brewers is in their hands, they must act now."

Letters to the Editor:- "SOS from National pet charity, the Blue Cross"

"WITH a new year and a new lockdown in place, here at Blue Cross we understand people might be planning to welcome a new pet into their home in 2021. We know pets provide companionship, and for many may be their only companion. However, we are urging people not to rush into taking on a new pet and to beware of scams and unscrupulous breeders looking to cash in on the continuing surging demand for pets, especially dogs and puppies. People can have a strong desire to have certain 'trendy' breeds, but we'd urge them to really do their research and to consider rescuing a pet due to their personality, not just based on their looks. We hope anyone looking for a pet chooses to re-home from a rescue charity like Blue Cross who will match them to an animal who has been vet checked and assessed and who is right for them. You'll be giving a pet a 2nd chance of life in a loving home and when you take your new pet home, that's not the end of the journey. Blue Cross offers ongoing advice when you need some support. To find pets who are looking for homes this new year visit:- BlueCross.Org.UK." Sian Sharples, Rehoming, Blue Cross.