Supporting British Pubs

I am a strong supporter of the local British pub which I believe are more than just social meeting spots; they are also valued community resources, which provide venues for charity events promote the arts and generally bring communities together. I follow any debates on the pub industry very closely and will do my best to represent them in the House of Commons. I am well aware of my constituent's affections for their local pubs as well as the tremendous Wadworth brewery whose family run business is a real asset to the Wiltshire.

The Impact of Brewing and Pubs in the Devizes Constituency

The British Beer and Pub Association has published data, compiled by Oxford Economics, showing how vital the beer and pub trade is to the country and, more importantly, for the Devizes constituency. Currently in the Devizes constituency there are six breweries and 116 pubs.

The research shows that:

• There are six breweries in the constituency as well as 116 pubs
• 1,590 people depend on beer and pubs for work
• The beer and pub trade adds over £38.7 million to the local economy, every year
• £23.7 million is paid in wages across the constituency by the sector, each year

These statistics confirm my belief on how important the beer and pub trade is to the Devizes constituency and I will do my best to represent the trade in the House of Commons. 

To see the report click here
For the BBPA interactive map on the local jobs and economy report, click here

BBC Wiltshire Interview 125th Anniversary of Wadworths

On the 10th February, I was interviewed by BBC Wiltshire about the future of the beer industry and to celebrate Wadworth brewery's 125th anniversary. There are 89 Wadworth pubs in Wiltshire with 45 of those in my constituency, so I am well aware of the contribution Wadworth's makes to the county and why so many local communities appreciate the brewery. The beer industry has voiced concerns about their future and I was able to confirm the Government's commitment to maintaining the wellbeing of the industry. The Government is already showing this by announcing a range of policies. One such example is the ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price – thereby protecting pubs from the discounted prices of some supermarkets. 

British Pub Week 2010 

The first week of November was British Pub Week 2010 and as a keen supporter of our local pubs I popped into the Triple Crown in Marden with my casework team to enjoy a drink and some lunch.

British Pub Week 2010 was a chance to celebrate the vital role that the British Pub plays in community life and in shaping our cultural traditions. The local pub adds a great deal of character to any village or town and I strongly believe that this should be maintained. 

Devizes Beer Festival 2010

On the morning of Saturday 3rd July I attended the sold-out 11th Devizes Beer Festival. This is a fantastic family orientated event based mostly outdoors at the Wharf. The festival hosts a variety of entertainments including live music and activities for children. Sadly I was driving and had to be careful which of the 50 real ales, cider and food I sampled! Don and Alan very kindly showed me round and the highlight was the tasting of a truly wonderful tasting cider, the Little Thornton Cider, made locally in Seend by Nigel, Nick and Mark.

Visit to Wadworth Brewery

I was delighted to visit the Wadworth Brewery in Devizes on Friday 2nd July. I have been a long-standing supporter of low rates of beer tax and firmly believe pubs play an essential role within local communities, so I was very excited by the opportunity to visit such a historic brewery. During my visit I spent some time going round the excellent visitor's centre where one can sample the delights of Wadworth's beers and discover the history and heritage of Wadworth brewing - I highly recommend you make the time to visit! Following my tour I was able to talk to some of the management team about the issues they were facing as an industry and the importance of campaigns which encourage people to drink responsibly. An excellent lunch was provided by the local Crown Inn.

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