MPs have been debating the future of the pub, including lots of perennial issues like below-cost alcohol sales, alternative uses for the pub and our old friend, the tie.
It also saw the new community pubs minister, Bob Neill, stand up and promise more powers to preserve community pubs via the Localism Bill (published today). But he could do far less on the issue of VAT, and beyond the changes to duty, which sees strong beer above 7.5% ABV taxed more to the benefit of beer below 2.8% ABV, it sounded as though pubs would receive little help on the tax front.
The full debate can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101209/halltext/101209h0001.htm#10120943000279
It looks pretty clear to me that thse backbench MPs see the future of the rural pub is as a community hub, offering a range of different services traditionally associated with the village shop. Beer and to a lesser extent food seem to be a secondary consideration in the eyes of several of the MPs who contributed to the debate. But what the future holds for pubs in urban and suburban areas seemed less clear.
Any thoughts?