CAMRA Welcomes Liberal Democrat Pubs Policy
27 April 2010
By Jenni Hollis
CAMRA have today welcomed the Liberal Democrats ‘Pubs Manifesto.' The document is entitled ‘Giving Pubs back to Communities' and includes Liberal Democrat policies to support and save the British Pub.
The Liberal democrats make several crucial policy commitments, including:
- To support a ban on low cost selling, and be in favour of minimum pricing
- To review the beer duty system and beer duty escalator
- Reform planning law regarding change of use and demolition, right to buy and restrictive covenants
- To reform the Beer Tie, including the introduction of a guest beer right and free of tie option
- To make payment of small business rate relief automatic
- A study to consider extending business rate relief to all pubs which act as centres of community life
- To cut red tape with regards to live music and licensing
The full Liberal Democrat Pub Policy Document can be
found here.
The Liberal Democrat announcement follows from the
Labour Party's ‘Pubs Package' and positive correspondence with the Conservative Party. Across the three Parties there are now policy commitments to deliver on 11 out of 12 of the points in
CAMRA's Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter.