On the 1st March, Bob Neill, Jo Johnson and Bob Stewart joined representatives of the consumer group CAMRA to celebrate its 40th birthday.

The event, which took place on the Terrace Pavilion in the House and Commons, gave all three local MPs an opportunity to speak with CAMRA volunteers about the brewery industry and about the measures that they feel are necessary to safeguard the future of local pubs. They were also joined by Robert Wicks, Founding Director of the award winning Westerham Brewery in Kent.

The Government Minister for Community Pubs and Member of Parliament for Bromley and Chislehurst, Bob Neill, was one of the keynote speakers at this event. He used the opportunity to hail the success of CAMRA and emphasise that the Coalition Government stands behind the beer and pubs industry.

Following the event, Bob Neill said:

“The threat to British pubs is an extremely serious issue, both in my local constituency and across the country.
“Unlike the previous administration, supporting community pubs is not an issue that this Government considers as an add-on or an afterthought. The wellbeing of the industry is something that we have committed to and put firmly on the policy agenda.
“We have already announced a wide range of measures that will assist struggling local pubs and those that are threatened with closure and we will continue to work with industry groups, such as CAMRA, to identify further action that may be necessary.”
Jo Johnson, Member of Parliament for Orpington, said:

“I welcome the tremendous work CAMRA performs in supporting struggling pubs in Orpington. A thriving pub sector is good for British business and helps bring local communities together.”

Bob Stewart, Member of Parliament,
“To my knowledge there are two pubs in the Beckenham constituency which serve real ale. I would very much like to see this number increase.”

Robert Wicks, Founding & Managing Director of Westerham Brewery, said:
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Bob Neill, Jo Johnson and Bob Stewart to hear their views about the pub industry, and how the coalition government plans to support the pub trade. As 90% of our production goes to pubs within 30 miles of the brewery the health of the pub industry is of paramount importance to us.

“The policies of the previous government have lead to a sharp decline in beer sales and pub closures at the rate of over 29 per week. We would urge this coalition government to abandon the beer duty escalator and show some pride in British beer and pubs. Mr Neill’s starting point is very positive and I hope it will lead to “joined up thinking” across government departments, including the Treasury and the Department of Health”