Bolton landlords have welcomed the government's change of heart as it announced an extension of a freeze to alcohol duty - but say more needs to be done to support the industry
Treasury minister James Cartlidge told the Commons that the freeze would be extended for a further six months in order to give the hospitality industry “maximum certainty” ahead of challenging times.
Despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt scrapping the plan to freeze alcohol duty in October, the Government announced on Monday that it would instead extend the freeze until August 2023.
Gill Jackson is the landlord of the Victoria & Albert pub in Horwich. Although she too welcomed the Government’s decision, she thinks it still needs to do more to help pubs navigate through uncertain times.
She said: “I don’t think it will affect us personally that much. It will be a good thing for the customer though because prices won’t have to go up.
“It’s a difficult time for anyone in the hospitality sector right now and there’s not enough help.
READ MORE: Victoria and Albert Pub Horwich under new management
“There’s not enough help for businesses full stop, not just in hospitality.”
Nick Howcroft is the owner and landlord of two Henighans establishments in Breighmet and Little Lever.
He also welcomed the news of the freeze but says the bigger picture of what his industry is going through is “frightening”.
He added: “It’s good but we need help with the commercial rates.
“For the past few years we’ve had discounts and grants but the previous Prime Minister said that would end in April.
“And the cost of utility bills is a problem.
“Luckily, we’re on a fixed rate for electric but our gas went up from £400 a month the £1,600 a month across both sites. That’s a massive increase.
“And if people don’t have cash in their pocket, we don’t have a business. Hospitality is the first thing you stop spending on.”
READ MORE: Henighan's and the Cross Guns introduce cost-of-living menus
The British Beer and Pub Association has been encouraged by the freeze.
Its chief executive, Emma McClarkin, said: “The decision to extend the freeze on beer duty will be welcomed by pubs and brewers alike. In 2022 our industry has faced pressures and challenges like never before.
“This freeze will allow £180 million to be reinvested into our sector at a critical moment and inject a much-needed flurry of festive cheer for pubs and breweries.
“It shows the Government understands just how much our pubs and brewers mean to communities across the UK.”
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