Politicians urged to support clubs and breweries
AN APPEAL has gone out to Barnsley politicians to lend support for the area’s social clubs and breweries as financial pressures continue to bite.
The town’s CAMRA branch has written to politicians including Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock and Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton to underline their plight.
The Government recently announced a review of business rates for pubs, but Barnsley’s CAMRA – the campaign for real ale – branch point out that social clubs were excluded from that.
They also have concerns for the long-term viability of independent breweries, without increased government support.
The letter, from CAMRA branch chairman Phil Gregg, states: “Without additional and more inclusive support, there is a real risk that many social clubs and breweries will struggle to survive the increasing financial pressures they face.
“The loss of these venues would have a devastating impact on community life across Barnsley and surrounding areas.
“I would therefore urge you to press the government to extend meaningful support to social clubs as well as pubs and to consider the wider importance of our local brewing industry when decisions are made about business rates and related policies.
“Our pubs clubs and breweries are far more than businesses - they are vital parts of the social fabric of our communities.
“Protecting them helps protect the wellbeing, identity and economic vitality of our area,” the letter states.
Barnsley has several independent breweries, including the long-established Acorn brewery in Wombwell, which was responsible for re-introducing the famous Barnsley Bitter, which was lost when the Barnsley Brewery at Oakwell closed in the 1970s.