Campaigning To Stop Further UK Pub Closures

The time is coming that "something" really needs to happen!

We have lost around ten thousand pubs in recent years, and if we are not careful we will lose many more in the not too distant future. There is of course lots going on to try and fight off the demise of our treasured pub institution, but frankly all of the effort in the world, other than getting more people to use pubs more often, will come to nought unless 'pub-going' gets back into fashion.

Government is also now realising that if more people stay at home drinking and purchasing alcohol in supermarkets there is a loss in revenue terms to the exchequer, this along with the social impact and high street demise. Pubs are important, stupid.

So what part does "the cost of going to the pub" play in the greater scheme of things? I think "more and more" is the answer.

I have blogged before on my 'hobby-horse' about our culture of 'round-buying', and I continue to believe that it is detrimental to our industry. I hear many people say that they avoid certain pubs at certain times because they know they will get involved in a round-buying group where a round can cost £20 or more. For those who want to go on doing it "fine", but let us create a culture where it is perfectly acceptable for those who want to "buy their own" to not be considered as skinflints or social pariahs!

Onto the VAT disparity twixt supermarkets and pubs. It is outrageous that supermarkets pay no VAT on food when pubs pay (and therefore you dear pub customer) 20%.

The argument is simple: Reduce VAT for pubs – more people will visit, spend more money, create more jobs, regenerate high streets, generate more revenue for HMG. The battle is joined and growing in influence. Want to know more? Take a view: www.vatclubjacquesborrel.co.uk


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses

7.5% VAT Cut In Pubs and Restaurants for 'Tax Parity Day'

Jacques Borel, the 'VAT cut' campaigner has recruited some heavyweight players to join his "National day of Action" where pubs, restaurants et al will reduce their prices by 7.5% to show just what happens with such a reduction. In France when this was trailed, sales grew by some 8% on the day of action.

His campaign is to persuade government to reduce VAT from 20% to 5%, thereby giving tax parity compared to supermarkets for the 'on–trade'. His claim is that such a reduction would mean more growth, sales and employment within our sector. The 7.5% reduction on the day of action is the impact that it is estimated would result from the desired VAT cut to 5%.

Tim Martin the hero of JD Wetherspoon commented "We wholeheartedly support this initiative for Tax Parity Day, we are aiming to make it our busiest day of the year".

Says Jacque "Creating Tax parity between pubs, Restaurants and supermarkets will fulfil many government objectives. It will create jobs, and will raise the amount of taxes the government receives, since pubs and restaurants pay more taxes and create more jobs than supermarkets. It’s a win–win situation for government, voters and our industry".

Many say he is swimming against the tide. Well, many people also said that the chancellor wouldn't stop the Duty Escalator. But he did, didn’t he!

Who knows, with so many of the top players supporting Jacque, he could well work a miracle. Who else is supporting this? Well, catch a load of these top names; Heineken, Brains, Sheperd Neame, Punch, Charles Wells, Pizza Hut, Subway and Roadchef!

Look out for it in your local. September 25th is the date – book a table! And good luck say we.


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Courses

Campaigns Against Ever-Rising Pub Closures

Against a background report from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), that in the six months to March this year, an increased rate of pub closures went up from eighteen per week to twenty six per week, the industry and other parties are stepping up their tremendous efforts to protect and promote our pub industry.

Here are a few things that are happening;
A new consumer campaign, complimentary to the campaign I blogged on last week (Pubs are Great) has been launched to celebrate Britain’s passion for pubs. “Its Better Down the Pub” encourages pub goers to celebrate why they love pubs so much.  Take a look on YouTube at the video. There are some heavyweight players behind the campaign including Admiral Taverns, The BII, Everards, Fullers, The Pub is the Hub and SIBA (Society Independent Brewers) and many other supporters.

Then there is Jacques Borel continuing with his campaign to have VAT reduced for the Hospitality Sector, some £1.4 million has so far been spent on the campaign and Mr Borel boasts that in 6o countries across the world where he has run similar campaigns, he has been successful in 58 of them! In addition to his belief that a reduction will drive job opportunities he further argues that with an election not too far away, politicians will be eager to demonstrate any way in which they can reduce un-employment. Some senior politicians seem to rubbish his rationale…we will see.

Then we have the Skills Sector for Hospitably forecasting that 50% of all employers will take on an apprentice, this will do wonders to raise the skill level and customer care levels within pubs.

Politically, another campaign to save pubs from closure is running via CAMRA. “List you Local” encourages residents to list their local pub as an “Asset of Community Value”, once listed it gives more time and opportunity to explore other options rather than closure.

And how about UKIPs campaign “Save the Pub” no matter what your politics are, saving the pub seems a pretty neutral political thrust but only UKIP claim to be the Political Party for The Pub (their words not mine!).

Here's another for you “Fair Deal for Your Local” - even more political this one, I chose to stay out of this debate! Not sure where HMG is with Minimum Pricing but I guess it is still on an agenda somewhere!

As for Inn-Dispensable, we continue with our efforts to raise Knowledge Skill and Attitudes of staff within pubs throughout our extensive range of courses!

All of this combined surely must have an impact on encouraging customers back into the pub?


Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training

Life Doesn't Have to Be Taxing – Says Octoganarian Businessman

85 years old, French, decorated with the Legion D’Honneur, war hero, rich, innovator, self-made and claims to have created 650,000 new jobs as a result of his campaigning! And that’s just a bit of his life story!!

Jacques Borel the name, inspirational the man!

His campaign, simple; reduce VAT on Food and Drink, up go sales and profit, up go jobs! Easy to summarise? Difficult to achieve? absolutely, but he has achieved it across many countries and now he is focusing on Britain!

If you want to be inspired, if you want to see real strategy designed to address cause not effect, do no more than read Roger Protz brilliant interview with “The Man” in the Publican/Morning Advertiser. Fantastic!!

Martin Read CMBII
Managing Director of Inn-Dispensable Personal Licence Training