I don't want to give you a sob story, but I would like to point out a few things you might not be aware of.
As many of you know, I part own and run a busy little pub. Although I have swallowed the duty increase and not passes it on, a lot of talk in the pub comes to the price of alcohol now. Especially the 'It's 4p a pint, so why have pubs added 15-20p a pint' conversation.
The 4p per pint is the extra cost to the brewer. As it is duty though, every time money and alcohol meet, another 4p is added. So 4p to the brewer, plus 4p when it is kegged (done by another company), plus 4p if another brewer buys it, plus 4p when the pub buys it from the brewer = 16p, rounded up to 20p/pint. It is not the pub being greedy. I have swallowed this increase because I find it morally wrong to charge any more than I absolutely have to in order to make a living.
The reason I am telling you all this? Supermarkets buy alcohol straight from the brewer - a maximum of 8p per pint increase, which they can easily swallow with the money they make selling other goods. They have already taken much trade away from independent grocers, bakers and butchers to name but a few, and now that pubs are closing at a rate of 30/week (
British Beer & Pub Association - News )
This is why I am bringing to the forums attention an online petition to reverse the duty increase for draught, so that pubs don't have to price themselves out of the market, leading them to closure, whilst supermarkets continue to enjoy taking the mickey with loss-leading (selling cheaper than they buy in) prices.
Thank you for taking the time to read this - the papers are very one-sided in their portrayal of the alcohol business - especially as they are all based in London and forget rural pubs are very different. I just wanted to put another perspective on things. If you would like to sign the petition, it can be found here:
Petition to: resist calls to substantially increase tax on alcohol.
PS No worries if you choose not to sign it, I'm well aware that some people believe this duty increase will tackle binge drinking, etc etc. That is your view and you are more than entitled to it. I will say one thing though. Next time you see a 'drunken youth' - either in the street on in a picture in the paper - have a look at what they are drinking. Is it pints bought from the pub? Or Alcopops (which can be bought in pubs, but personally I believe should be banned completely - that's another story) and cans/bottles, bought at '8 for £5' from their local off-license.
Again, thank you for reading this
The Budget
) i also hate the term "binge drinker" people use it as if its a new thing but it's always been there
i used to be a very heavy drinker but it was all done in pubs
i never brought alcohol from supermarkets etc as i just love the whole pub social experiance! soon there will only be large chain= weatherspoons= no atmosphere pubs left!
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