Our place to talk – an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires.

Advert

Author Archives: Ben Thomas

Follow @@BenThomasLD

Pubs need support now and inclusion for their future

By Ben Thomas | Fri 1st May 2020 - 3:30 pm

Embed from Getty Images

Having relaunched a pub in Brighton during the election, watching it grow into a successful community pub then suddenly falling complete silent has been an absolute roller-coaster of emotions. Not seeing your regulars every day is a weird feeling and not knowing when those doors will open again leaves me anxious for the future of the industry.

I’m a lucky one though, my parent pub company have been incredibly supportive and with their help and the coronavirus retention scheme, I’ve been able to continue paying 100% of my staffs’ wages. But for lots of publicans this is not the case.

Some of the big Pub Co’s are still collecting extortionate rents from their tenants, even though there has been zero footfall through the doors. Pubs with higher rateable values are exempt from grants. Bank loans are little to none in the hospitality sector and seasonal staff will be significantly worse off with the summer season limited. All these issues need addressing urgently, if we want pubs to be there able and ready for when we can enjoy that much anticipated pint with our friends again.

Continue reading »

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged coronavirus and pubs | 8 Comments

Most Read

Op-eds

Somerset’s farmers are on the front line of climate change (Sarah Dyke)
Mathew on Monday: Local Government Reorganisation review welcome (Mathew Hulbert)
Reform is winning because liberal Britain is not listening to its own society (Michal Simon)
Tom Arms’ World Review (Tom Arms)
Why Holborn and St Pancras deserves our all (Rosemary Runswick)

Advert

Recent Comments

Simon Robinson
@Chloe. I think you're right to say that the state doesn't owe anyone a living. However, if society is to function effectively, then we do need to make sure tha...
Simon Robinson
Excellent article. Totally captures how Reform have been winning because progressives haven't been listening to ordinary people. One point; @Michal you say,...
Michal Simon
@Chloe I absolutely love agreeing with you on this. And this is explicitly part of the argument in my first article. The education system has failed a huge...
Peter Davies
Re the IPPR report, that proposal would only affect earned income over £50,270. To pay an extra £1000 pounds tax, they would need to earn over £100K. If they...
Chloe
What you have mastered is some pseudo 60s sociology BS. We've had far too many schools, colleges, universities, churning out youngsters totally unfit for the wo...