Welsh Conservatives today launched a campaign to support local pubs, just two days after the Chancellor announced a cut in beer duty.
Pursuing a low tax agenda, Welsh Conservatives today set out plans to cut business rates and empower communities to help secure the future of pubs across the country.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has published figures showing that two pubs close in Wales every week.
Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Opposition, Mark Isherwood, Shadow Minister for Communities and Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, launched the campaign in the Albion Ale House in Conwy.
The three Welsh Conservative AMs were joined by landlord Stuart Chapman-Edwards, the Welsh Director for CAMRA, Ian Saunders and the Director of Conwy Brewery, Gwynne Thomas.
It comes just days after the Chancellor cut a penny off beer duty in his Budget as well as freezing duty on spirits and ciders and scrapping the alcohol duty escalator.
Welsh Conservatives want to abolish business rates for small businesses, cut red tape and introduce the right to bid to help people protect community assets.
In England, the right to bid has empowered communities to help save threatened community assets, but no similar power exists in Wales.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, said, “Pubs are at the heart of our communities, but many face considerable challenges to stay open.
“Welsh Conservatives want to use a low tax agenda to support local pubs and protect the role they place in society as an economic, social and cultural hub.
“We support the Chancellor’s tax cuts to support pubs, breweries and everyone who enjoys the occasional drink by cutting or freezing duty on beer, spirits and ciders.
“Welsh Conservatives want to go even further to save local pubs by cutting business taxes, axing red tape and introducing the right to bid to enable people to safeguard community assets.
“Welsh Conservatives have launched this campaign to protect the important role that pubs play in our economy and society as major employers and as the hubs which are integral to a community’s way of life.
“Welsh Conservatives are a low tax party and this campaign demonstrates how we would pursue a low tax agenda to save local pubs.”
