Andrew Snowden MP has renewed his call for urgent Government action to support pubs and hospitality businesses after the shock announcement that Lancashire’s famous Guy’s Thatched Hamlet has closed its doors.
The popular family favourite canalside venue, which had been trading for 46 years and employed dozens of local people, confirmed this week that it has ceased trading, blaming the severe economic pressures facing the hospitality sector. Mr Snowden said the closure underlines exactly why he challenged Ministers in Parliament to do far more to support pubs and restaurants across Lancashire.
Fylde’s MP challenged the Government last week to do far more to support local pubs and high street businesses, warning that rising National Insurance costs and looming business rate hikes are putting many more pubs at serious risk of closure.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Snowden highlighted the vital role pubs play in communities and name checked a number of well known Fylde venues including The Queens Hotel in Lytham, the Coach & Horses in Freckleton and the Hand and Dagger in Treales as local examples.
He told Ministers that while recent announcements on business rates were welcome, they did not go anywhere near far enough to offset the extra financial pressures being piled onto the sector. In response, the Minister, Chris Bryant MP, chose to make light of the issue, joking about Valentine’s Day dinner offers rather than outlining any meaningful additional help.
Andrew Snowden MP said:
“Our pubs are the heart of communities right across Fylde. They create jobs, support local suppliers and give people places to meet and socialise. But they have been hit from all sides in recent months. Changes to National Insurance have hammered small businesses and now many pubs are facing massive increases in business rates on top. The Government has made a partial U turn, but it only helps around six percent of businesses. For the vast majority, the pain is still coming.”
“The average independent pub will still be paying around £5,300 more in business rates under Labour. That is on top of higher wage bills and higher energy costs. Many simply cannot absorb that. There is only so much you can increase the cost of a pint or the price of a pub lunch. I asked a serious question in Parliament on behalf of local pubs and restaurants that are genuinely worried about their future. The Minister’s humour might have got a laugh in the chamber, but it does nothing to help the landlord in Freckleton, the bar owner in St Annes or the village pub in Treales trying to balance the books.”
Mr Snowden added that the small concession the Government had made on business rates was only the result of sustained pressure from Conservative MPs.
“This limited change did not happen by accident. It happened because Conservative MPs kept raising the issue and kept forcing Ministers to listen. But we are still a long way from where we need to be. Pubs and high street businesses deserve proper support, not warm words and wisecracks.”
“I will keep fighting for our pubs, restaurants and high street businesses, and keep pushing the Government to recognise the real impact their policies are having on our local economy.”
