The Hobgoblin, the figurehead for the British Pubs Need You campaign, took his petition to the Houses of Parliament yesterday [March 7] in a bid to lobby MPs on the future of pubs.
The Hobgoblin and his team set up in the vaults of the Houses to enlist the help of more than 14 MPs, who promised to talk about the petition and the issues it raises in their own constituencies.
A key backer for the campaign is Greg Mulholland, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Save The Pub Group, who is putting his full strength behind the petition.
Greg said: “This campaign is a positive step forward and by removing the beer duty escalator at the next budget, beer will be kept more affordable and go some way to supporting the Great British Pub.”
Every year, the tax on beer increases by 2% above the rate of inflation, adding considerable more pressure on the British pub, the cornerstone of many of our communities. This campaign aims to collect 100,000 signatures in a bid to urge the Government to stop the beer duty escalator. So far it has collected a whopping 10,000, and counting.
Greg added: “It’s crucial that local pubs and anyone that enjoys a pint signs the petition – we really need to support the great British pub.”
The e-petition is hosted at www.wychwood.co.uk/byny and beer lovers should sign up if they want to continue to be able to pop into their local any time for a pint of cask ale. The pub industry creates hundreds of thousands of jobs, which could be put at risk if pubs continue to close.
Wychwood Brewery Marketing Manager Chris Keating said: “The aim of the meeting yesterday was to encourage key members of the All Party Save the Pub Group to promote the campaign within their constituency. The prospect of collecting 100,000 signatures is a challenge but it’s an issue people feel strongly about. We just need people to act, sign the e-petition, and show their passion for this Great British institution.”
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Kimberley Owen
Senior Account Manager
Direct: 01926 463339 | Mobile: 07920 582 444
kimberley@thevitalagency.co.uk | http://www.thevitalagency.co.uk/