Community pubs are in danger of disappearing unless the government takes urgent action to support them through a radical change in policy, according to new research published today.
The report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) accused the government of killing community pubs with its "one size fits all" policies on licensed premises.
The think tank estimated that pubs inject an average £80,000 each into their local economy and that the government should recognise their community function.
It described current government policies on pubs as too indiscriminate, with all licensed premises having to carry the burden of regulation and increased taxation, despite smaller pubs with fewer crime and disorder problems being least able to take on the additional costs.
The study called for new government measures to be introduced to prevent further pub closures, including 50% mandatory business rate relief for pubs that acted as local community hubs .
It urged for the reform of planning law to provide greater protection for community pubs.
The IPPR also said that a change was required in the relationship between the large pub companies and their tenants, including a mandatory code of conduct to ensure that rents were calculated in a transparent way and an accessible arbitration system to settle disputes.
Rick Muir, senior research fellow at IPPR, said: “Government must stop using a one size fits all approach to licensed premises which is killing off our community pubs. Instead responsible well-run community pubs should be encouraged and supported.
“IPPR research shows community pubs aren’t just places to drink but also places where people meet their neighbours; where local clubs hold meetings and events; and which support many important local services such as village post offices and general stores.”
Other recommendations in the report included an end to the current beer duty escalator, a minimum price per unit of alcohol, as well as giving existing tenants the first option of buying their pub if it was put up for sale.
The study highlighted the main factors contributing to the rise in pub closures as competition from supermarkets, increases in beer tax, a fall in beer drinking, increased regulation, a well as the prices that some tenants had to pay the large pub companies for their beer.
Pub closures were found to be worse in some parts of the country, particularly Scotland, the North West and the West Midlands.
