An industry campaign has been launched encouraging the people of Britain to tell politicians how much they value and want to protect their local pubs, with clear relevance Down Under.
The primary objective of the ‘Our Pub’ initiative is to get patrons, suppliers or anyone to contact their local MPs and tell them that their local pub is at the heart of the communities, and that they need support if they are to thrive.
Every pub in the UK is being asked to share the message with their sphere of influence, asking people to write to MPs and tell them ‘Our Pub’ is too important to lose.
In a statement that could have been discussing pubs in Australia, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) stresses the industry’s greater purpose beyond having a drink.
“Our pubs are the fabric of our society,” says BII CEO Steve Alton.
“They are not just places where people can have a pint, they are vital to communities, towns and high streets and are a unique attraction to locals, visitors and tourists alike.”
Alton notes the ability of pubs to drive employment and economic growth “like no other sector”, but laments the impending increases slated to come into effect next month, saying they will be a “hammer blow to pubs across the UK”.
April in the UK will see a 10 per cent rise in National Insurance Contributions, changes to relief for part-time staff and an increase to the National Minimum Wage.
It’s suggested that to survive operators will be forced to cut costs, for some the only option being to cut jobs or hours, “or leave their businesses altogether”.
The BII accuses the government of a “short-sighted approach” in taxing hospitality businesses to help meet the budget, suggesting it will lead to more inflation and unemployment, as well as missed opportunity for community investment and an even greater burden on the welfare and healthcare systems.
“Aussie pub goers are not afraid to make their feelings known to the political classes,” furthers Stephen Ferguson, CEO of the National Australian Hotels Association.
This position can be seen in the continued outrage at the twice-yearly hike to beer and alcohol excise, and in elections where candidates have not fared well voicing policies that are seen to be aimed at ‘wrecking’ their local pubs, such as in South Australia and Tasmania.
“Aussies will always stick up for what is right,” continues Ferguson.
“And politicians using pubs for their own political purposes to the detriment of those pubs is when Aussies will raise their voice and vote accordingly.”
The BII created Our Pub following the success of its #MyPub campaign in 2024.
