Party Tsar Sacha Lord Raises Alarm
Party tsar Sacha Lord has issued a warning about the alarming increase in British pub closures, suggesting that it could lead to a potential crime blitz. As the Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, Lord also highlighted the potential for widespread mental health issues among the public due to fewer boozers.
Call for VAT Cut to Prevent More Closures
Lord, the founder of the renowned Manchester Warehouse Project, has called on policymakers to reduce taxes for pubs to prevent further closures. He specifically urged Jeremy Hunt to consider slashing VAT for boozers to help them stay in business.
Concerns Over Impact on Communities
A recent survey by Censuswide revealed that half of Brits have observed a decrease in pubs in their local areas. Nearly one-fifth of respondents reported an increase in antisocial behavior linked to pub closures, while over half expressed concerns about losing their favorite local pub. Loneliness emerged as a significant worry, with a quarter of adults fearing they would have nowhere to socialize if their local pub shut down.
Statistics on Pub Closures
The rate of pub closures in the UK has reached its highest level in a decade, with an average of two pubs shutting down every day. Between December 2023 and the same month the following year, over 6,000 hospitality venues permanently closed their doors, according to UK Hospitality.
Industry Calls for Government Intervention
While the Chancellor extended a freeze on beer duty until February of next year during the Spring Budget, industry stakeholders are advocating for further measures to support struggling pubs. Landlords are urging policymakers to go beyond the duty freeze and consider cutting VAT to alleviate financial pressures on pubs.
Impact on Communities and Mental Health
Sacha Lord emphasized the vital role that pubs play in local communities, serving as social hubs for individuals of all ages. He underscored that the closure of pubs not only contributes to increased loneliness and mental health concerns but also poses risks of escalating antisocial behavior and crime within neighborhoods.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/rishi-sunak-urges-voters-to-send-message-to-keir-starmer-as-tories-launch-local-election-campaign/
