The Association of Licensed Multiple Operators (ALMR) has welcomed a new report from the Institute of Public Policy Research calling for a radical change in policy on pubs.
Nick Bish, chief executive of ALMR, said that pubs are facing an unprecedented crisis and have been impacted by current government policies.
Bish said: “As the report recognises, pubs and bars play an important part in community life and are a part of the British social fabric providing a well regulated, safe environment to drink in.
“These small businesses are facing an unprecedented crisis. Government imposed red tape, commercial pressures and the economic effect of pubco lease agreements have combined to create a lethal cocktail which has seen 39 pubs a week close in the past year alone.
“Publicans do not want a government hand-out, but equally they cannot cope with increasing compliance costs and regulatory burdens. They also do not want to be handicapped by the structure of the market.
The government needs to step up to the plate and take action to help the industry before it is too late.”
