South Downs MP backs campaign to save our pubs

Arundel & South Downs MP Andrew Griffith has backed a campaign aiming to save pubs from the risk of closure.

Led by the Countryside Alliance, the ‘#UnlockInn – Save the Great British Pub’ campaign follows a recent survey that found six in ten pub landlords feared they would go out of business if lockdown restrictions were not sufficiently lifted until the summer.

The same survey found that 92 per cent of landlords wanted the rule that customers must order a substantial meal in order to buy a drink scrapped when pubs reopen.

Mr Griffith said: “We are fortunate to have many pubs serving local communities in rural areas such as Arundel & South Downs.

“As we continue to successfully roll out the Covid-19 vaccine, focus should move now to how we go about repairing our economy. Whilst it has been right to be cautious, it is clear that pubs and the hospitality industry at large, need to be trading again soon.

“Pubs should be allowed to sell takeaway drinks and when allowed to reopen fully need to do so without unnecessary regulations like the substantial meal requirement.”

The campaign has five asks, which organisers hope Prime Minister Boris Johnson will consider when outlining the roadmap for leaving lockdown: to allow pubs to serve alcohol with takeaways as soon as possible; for the ‘substantial meal’ rule to be scrapped; for increased financial support if pubs are forced to be shut into the summer; for a practical road map for pubs and the hospitality industry to help them realistically prepare for when they can resume trading again and for VAT at five per cent to be extended while ensuring rates are cut by 50 percent for the same length of time to help pubs get through the economic recovery.