SAVE OUR PUBS
THE UK is facing a flour shortage as people take up baking in huge numbers during social isolation. Shoppers are “purchasing much more than normal”, said Alex Waugh, from the National Association of British and Irish Millers.
THE Daily Star Sunday today calls for action to save the Great British Boozer.
We’re joining campaigners to demand commercial rents be cancelled to save pubs from closure during the virus crisis. Pub companies, such as Heineken’s Star Pubs and Bars and Punch Taverns, have been branded “disgraceful” for charging rent when landlords are struggling.
Publicans have banded together under the social media hashtag #NoRentNoPub, calling for rents to be cancelled during enforced closures because of Covid-19. Admiral Taverns, Fullers, Hall and Woodhouse, Wadworth, Palmers Brewery and Adnams, have cancelled commercial rents. But other firms, including Ei Group and Marston’s, are refusing to confirm they will do the same.
They promised to defer payments but that could leave self-employed tenants tens of thousands of pounds in debt. Greg Mulholland of the British Pub Confederation said: “Pubs and publicans are facing the toughest time in history, so it is disgraceful for some pub owners to be charging commercial rent. “It is only right that support is passed down to individual licensees in the form of rent holidays to protect their pubs and livelihoods.”
SHEILA Hancock has urged older people to “get on to social media” during lockdown. The actress, 87, said: “I know there are a lot of people out there who still feel...that they can’t be bothered with it. But you’re wrong, you need to talk.”