Commenting on the London Mayor’s statement today on protecting pubs in the capital, BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said:
“I very much welcome the Mayor’s support for pubs and his highlighting of this key issue for London. Our pubs add £3.5 billion to the London economy, and along with the capital’s 80 breweries, employ over 90,000 Londoners.
“Mayor Khan rightly highlights the negative impact of high business rates – many London pubs have seen huge increases in their rates bills. I would also welcome support to tackle the sky-high rates of beer duty in the UK, which is another huge burden on London’s brewers and pubs, following the 4 per cent beer tax rise in the Budget.
“Support for the ‘agent of change’ principle – putting the onus on developers when it comes to addressing any issues caused by new residential development next to pubs – is hugely welcome.
“I also hope also that the Mayor and the Night Tsar, work to discourage London boroughs from imposing Late Night Levies in their areas. This is a burdensome new tax on small local businesses. Partnership working, between the boroughs, police and local businesses, is the most effective route to tackling any problems in the night-time economy.”