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Government must reverse alarming rate of pub closures says ippr

03 March 2009

Ahead of the UK Pubs Crisis Ministerial Summit tomorrow (Wednesday 4th March) organised by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, Dr Rick Muir, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) said:

"Government must recognise the invaluable contribution that pubs can make to their local communities. Local pubs enrich civic life by providing a meeting place for people from all walks of life and different backgrounds to get together. They also provide a meeting space for local groups and associations and help to deliver a range of public services, espeically in rural areas.

"Pubs matter in economic terms too. It is estimated that pubs inject an average of £80,000 into their local economies. Well-run pubs also provide a controlled environment for socially responsible drinking. For these reasons it is vital that government intervenes to help reverse the alarming rate of pub closures in Britain before it is too late."

Notes to Editors

ippr is currently conducting a research project on the future of Britain's community pubs in association with Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) which will be published March 2009.

Contact

Kelly O’Sullivan ippr media officer, 020 7339 0007 / 07753 719 289 / k.osullivan@ippr.org