BRITAIN’S historic pub culture is dying, a new poll warns.
Almost two thirds of the public believe the great British pub is on its way out.
Half say the Tories did not do enough to support pubs and the same number say Labour are following suit.
Drinking at the pub after work[/caption]
People drinking outside The Market Porter pub in Borough Market[/caption]
And a third say both the Conservative and Labour governments have been bad for the hospitality industry, according to the survey by Merlin Strategy.
It comes after warnings that pubs are closing down at the rate of one a day this year due to high business taxes.
The British Beer and Pub Association expects 378 to close this year in England, Scotland and Wales, at a cost of 5,600 jobs.
Lawrence Newport, founder of campaign group Looking For Growth, said: “Successive governments have made it more and more difficult to own and run businesses.
“The results are plain to see: pubs are closing at an eye watering rate.
“We are losing traditional pubs that have existed for hundreds of years, we are losing important parts of British culture, and we are losing our ability to have fun.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Pubs are vital to local communities, that’s why we’re cutting the cost of licensing, lowering their business rates and helping more pubs offer pavement drinks and al fresco dining, on top of cutting alcohol duty on draught pints and capping corporation tax.”
