Stockport brewery welcomes business rates cuts for pubs

Following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement of cuts to business rates for pubs, Stockport-based brewery and pub operator Robinsons Brewery has welcomed the support for the sector.

The 20% cut to business rates for pub, social clubs and live music venues – described by the Prime Minister as “the beating heart of our communities” – will take effect in England from April next year. Government estimates the cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 sites and save a typical pub around £1,100 in the next financial year.

William Robinson, Managing Director of Pubs at Robinsons Brewery, said:

“I am pleased to see the PM acting so quickly by announcing this reduction and recognising the social and community value of pubs, the support is welcomed.  With others in the sector I look forward to working with his government on the reforms required to the wider business rates system. 

“In the context of providing wider support for all hospitality businesses, we hope he will respond positively to the campaign for a reduction in VAT to 10% inline with the rates applied in hospitality by our European neighbours.”

Alongside the changes to business rates for pubs, the Government has set out its intention to carry out further reforms to the system to ensure rates relief supports businesses that make positive contributions to local communities, with further reforms to the business rates system, including Small Business Rates Relief, set to be announced in the October Budget.