If it isn’t too late, may I wish you a Happy New Year. That said, I’m not making any promises. Sadly, 2025 promises (threatens?) to be a worse year for the pub trade and the brewing industry than 2024. It is not helped by consumers being deterred by ever rising prices.
In his New Year message, CAMRA’s Chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins, looked forward to continuing to lobby the Government over the issues that are bringing about the increasing loss of pubs, especially those independently owned or leased. CAMRA will continue to press for reform of the business rates system in England under which pubs are billed for disproportionately high amounts. Action has been promised from 2026/27 but that may be too late for many. CAMRA also wants to see brewers and cider makers included in any new arrangements.
The government also promised an investigation into the restrictions on independent brewers gaining access to the wider pub market. CAMRA will be participating in the review and will be meeting with the Department for Business and Trade to outline the Campaign’s views on what needs to be included and propose some potential solutions. Putting an end to independent brewers and cider makers being squeezed out by the global breweries and large pub companies is long overdue. A better choice for consumers can only help the situation.
Sir Tim Martin, the founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, also looked ahead in an interview with the Times newspaper. His view is that pubs will always have a role in society and that difficult conditions create opportunities for companies like Wetherspoons. He added, “The desire to have a sherbet elsewhere than in your front room is deep in the psyche. You can only stare at those four walls for a limited time. Pubs will always have a role.” He sees the tax system as the main problem facing the hospitality industry. As he has frequently pointed out, pubs and restaurants pay 20% VAT on food sales but supermarkets pay nothing. Consequently, supermarkets are able to sell beer, wine and spirits that much more cheaply, thus undercutting the hospitality trade.
Lastly, we send our sympathy to all of those who were affected by the floods in early January. Bateman’s Brewery was among them. Managing director Stuart Bateman was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 on 7 January and told how their head brewer had been flooded out of his company-owned house for the third time in five years.
Tony Hedger