Inn-Valuable 2
Unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs
Inn-Valuable 2: Unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs
The institution that is the Great British Pub holds value to the country in many different ways. At the local level, pubs are high street anchors, cultural catalysts and agents of social cohesion. Nationally, they represent an important contributor to the economy and the Exchequer. Running deeper still is the place that ‘the local’ holds in the hearts of many across Britain.
Inn-Valuable 2 is an examination of the value of pubs in the UK and an analysis of the policy challenges to protecting and enhancing this value. Despite their importance to the national economy and the character of local areas, the policy and regulatory landscape in which pubs operate is increasingly counterproductive to the goal of providing long-term sustainability to the sector, even as the government has provided short-term measures of support. Following on from the original Inn-Valuable report in September 2023, this report sets out the route to a more sustainable pub trade.
Key Policy Recommendations
The Short-Term: Continuing support over longer time frames
To continue to mitigate the closure of pubs across the country, the government must extend business rates relief for hospitality and increase the window to three years.
To continue to support the production, export and domestic sale of beer in the UK, government must extend the beer duty freeze for another year.
The Long-Term: Fixing the foundations of the UK pub trade
To halt and reverse the decline of the Great British pub, central Government must launch a task force to identify routes to long-term sustainability for the sector.
Some considerations to include:
- Reviewing business Rates
- Reviewing excise Duty
- Providing employment incentives
- Examining planning policies
New Towns Taskforce
The New Towns Taskforce should examine how new towns can boost pubs and hospitality through planning for vibrant town centres.
Driving local good growth
Local growth plans should include sections on the foundational, overlooked and night-time economies of place.