Campaigners' 10-point plan to save pubs

The Campaign for Pubs, the national grassroots campaign to promote, support and protect pubs, has published 10 Points to Save Pubs.

It includes the call for an immediate announcement confirming July 4 as reopening day and that social distancing will be set atone and not two metres.

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The 10 Points to Save Pubs calls for a mandatory Covid-19 rent code to stop the exploitation of tenants, not the voluntary code produced by the government, and also calls for a statutory right to a rent review for all pub tenants, all of whom will be facing restrictions on their ability to trade.

It also calls for five percent VAT for 12 months, to help pubs and the hospitality and tourism sectors get back on their feet. It also calls for the Government to announce hugely overdue business rates reform to commence by April 2021, and for business rate relief for pubs until a new system comes in.The full list of the 10 Points to Save Pubs is:1 A definite date for opening now.

2 Social distancing of one metre - not two metres or most pubs simply cannot open

3 Clear full guidance for pubs and insurance companies to be issued by Friday June 26 - pubs need real clarity about any physical infrastructure requirements, and also about specific responsibilities and liability issues, so that they can be properly insured under fair policies which will be honoured

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4 Relaxation of licensing restrictions where extra spaces would help smaller pubs operate more viably and safely

5 A strong mandatory covid-19 rent code of conduct including a statutory right to a rent review for all pub tenants

6 A rent-free period for all pubs, and an extended period of protection from landlords if rent cannot be paid

7 Continued financial support for staff - extended fully-paid furlough where pubs are unable to viably/safely trade due to continued government restrictions 8 VAT to five per cent for at least 12 months - the only sensible way to help with reduced margins, as any price increases would reduce trade even further

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8 Business rates reform - announced now and implemented in April 2021 - and rates relief for all pubs until a reformed system comes in9 A 12-month ban on all change of use for pubs - pubs need protection in the planning system now even more than ever10Campaign for Pubs is urging all pub lovers to back the #10PointstoSavePubs to stop many pub closures and to call on their MPs and the government to back them too.

The Campaign for Pubs is a mass membership group, open to all who love and care about pubs.Unlike any other sector organisation, it unites publicans, pub campaigners, customers and suppliers, including some of the UK’s leading smaller brewers.

The Campaign for Pubs exists to provide a #realvoiceforpubs and to campaign for a better, freer and fairer, more sustainable pub sector. The campaign’s mission statement lays out a powerful vision.

Its chairman is leading licensee campaigner Paul Crossman with well-known pub campaigner former MP and British Pub Confederation Greg Mulholland as campaign director and award-winning licensee Dawn Hopkins vice-chairwoman.

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Paul, licensee of The Swan, The Slip Inn and Volunteer Arms in York, said: “There is an urgent need for a dynamic new campaign group providing a real voice for pubs and those who love and support them.”

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