Unlocking Pubs' Potential Report

Unlocking Pubs' Potential: inquiry, evidence and report

The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG)'s inquiry into the future potential of pubs ran through the summer and autumn of 2019. Businesses, organisations and individuals with an interest in the potential of this vital part of the UK were invited to submit evidence. More than 20 organisations responded and 14 witnesses gave evidence in person.

APPBG Chair Mike Wood MP (Con, Dudley South) co-chaired the inquiry with the Beer Group Vice Chair Ruth Smeeth (then Lab MP, Stoke-on-Trent North).

Programme

Evidence sessions were held on:

Wednesday 19 June, 4-6pm: Polly Mackenzie, Demos; Peter Martin, CGA/Peach; Dr Thomas Thurnell-Read, Loughborough University; Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council; Katie Bland, Bird in Bush, Elsdon; Sacha Lord, Manchester night time economy adviser.

Tuesday 25 June, 5-7pm: Katy Moses, KAM Media; Suzanne Baker, Stonegate; Mandy McNeil, Save St Albans Pubs; Tanya Williams, BII licensee of the year.

Tuesday 2 July, 3-5pm: Pete Brown, Guild of Beer Writers; Adrian Cooper, Oxford Economics; Ellen Huspith, Camra; Kris Gumbrell, Brewhouse and Kitchen.

On 3rd October the panel visited three pubs in the Stoke area:

Golden Lion, Newcastle, ST5 1PS (Jim Fisher, area manager and Anthony Hughes, general manager)

Bod, Trentham, ST4 8GG (Keith Bott & Andy Slee, Titanic and Stephen Gould, Everards)

Plume of Feathers, Barlaston ST12 9DH (Richard Slingsby, Neil Morrissey Pub Company; Andy Wilkinson, Punch)

Notes from oral evidence sessions can be downloaded here:

L 19 June 2019 - Session 1

L 25 June 2019 - Session 2

L19 July 2019 - Session 3

The written evidence can be downloaded here

Column

Mike Wood MP (Con, Dudley South ) and Steve Double MP (Con, St Austell & Newquay) at the report launch with inquiry witnesseses Tanya and Alex Williams.

The report can be downloaded

here.

The report can be downloaded

here.

Written evidence was received from widespread individuals, organisations and businesses, focusing on:

the contribution made by pubs to their local communities, local economies and local wellbeing;
the changing competitive environment in which pubs operate; and
opportunities to boost pubs’ potential through tax and regulatory change.

All written evidence received is published here