The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has commented on the London Mayor Sadiq Khan's statement on protecting pubs in the capital.
BBPA's Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said, “I very much welcome the Mayor’s support for pubs and his highlighting of this key issue for London. Our pubs add £3.5 billion to the London economy, and along with the capital’s 80 breweries, employ over 90,000 Londoners.
“Mayor Khan rightly highlights the negative impact of high business rates – many London pubs have seen huge increases in their rates bills. I would also welcome support to tackle the sky-high rates of beer duty in the UK, which is another huge burden on London’s brewers and pubs, following the 4 per cent beer tax rise in the Budget.
“Support for the ‘agent of change’ principle – putting the onus on developers when it comes to addressing any issues caused by new residential development next to pubs – is hugely welcome.'
Simmonds concluded, “I also hope also that the Mayor and the Night Tsar, work to discourage London boroughs from imposing Late Night Levies in their areas. This is a burdensome new tax on small local businesses. Partnership working, between the boroughs, police and local businesses, is the most effective route to tackling any problems in the night-time economy.”