The All-party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG)'s inquiry into pubs’ business rates was launched on 1 February 2022. Following receipt of written evidence an oral evidence gathering session was held on 23rd February. The report was published on 21st March 2022.
The report is available to download here.
The video launching the report is available here.
The inquiry's terms of reference were:
To understand:
- The impact of business rates on pubs’ operations in England and the efficacy of the valuation process and appeals system;
- The fairness of business rates on a sectoral basis;
- The impact of the Government’s current proposals for reform.
And to explore:
- Hospitality as a catalyst for inward investment, high street regeneration and employment and skills growth;
- Options for business rates reform to recognise this and pubs’ wider contribution locally and nationally, including rebalancing the burden of business rates between the digital and physical economies.
Notes:
All-party groups lack the formal scrutiny powers of a Select Committee but a group may consider any matter which falls within its remit. Previous inquiries by the APPBG include: Beer Tax 1995, Licensing Law Reform 1999, Community Pubs 2008, Beer Tax Fraud 2012, Unlocking Pubs’ Potential 2020 and Caskenomics: the future of cask beer 2021.
The APPBG was established in 1993 and is one of the largest APP groups. Its objectives are "To broaden recognition of the enormous contribution of brewing and pubs to the UK economy from grain to glass - and to celebrate the unique role that beer and pubs play in our society”.
For further information, please click here
An evidence session on 23rd February 2022, conducted over Zoom and chaired by Mike Wood MP, heard from:
George Barnes, Property and Services Director, Shepherd Neame
Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive, Newcastle BID
Alan Colston, Chief Valuer, Valuation Office Agency
Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis
James Baer, MD, Amber Taverns
Roxane Marjoram, Co-owner, Gusto Pronto
Cassie Davison, Licensee, Gate Hangs Well
Click here to view the recording
The following individuals and organisations submitted written evidence:
Snowdrop Inn (via PAS)
The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate Village
Independent operator, Shropshire
British Beer & Pub Association
Pubs All-party Parliamentary Group
Saracens Head Inn, Symonds Yat
British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)
Rochdale case study of investment
Video Case study of pub as community asset