Author Archive
May 19, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Industry News
In recent months there has been growing speculation that the Government is considering a lower duty rate for draught beer. In this article SIBA Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Barry Watts, looks at its implications for small brewers. As brewers, we all know that currently beer is taxed (far too highly) according to its […]
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May 7, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Industry News
In this article, SIBA Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Barry Watts explores the forthcoming Deposit Return Schemes and the impact on small brewers Over the next decade or so, governments across the UK have ambitious plans to introduce measures which aim to tackle climate change. With the COP26 conference taking place later this year […]
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April 14, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Responding to the proposals for calorie counts on pints as reported in The Sun, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “Just when we are starting on the long road to recovery from the devastating impacts of Covid, the Government is planning another costly and complicated hit to struggling pubs and […]
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March 24, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland
Commenting on the Tied Pubs Bill becoming law yesterday (23 March 2021), Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “With the passage of the Tied Pubs Bill in Scotland last night, pub tenants will now have the same statutory rights that have been provided in England and Wales under a Pubs […]
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March 16, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland
Responding to the First Minister’s statement today (16 March 2021) on the reopening of the Scottish economy, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “It is encouraging that the First Minister has taken the first steps to reopen pubs in Scotland with outdoor services from 26 April, but this is several […]
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January 27, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland, SIBA National
Commenting on the announcement of the Scottish Brewers Support Fund, SIBA Chief Executive James Calder said: “Beleaguered small breweries have been some of the hardest hit by the Covid pandemic and seen their sales drain away with the closure of pubs. In these tough times it is hugely welcome that the Scottish Government has listened […]
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January 5, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Responding to the latest lockdown restrictions and financial support, SIBA Chief Executive, James Calder said: “This is simply the next blow after months of struggle for England’s community pubs and small breweries. For the first time in lockdown the Government intends to ban takeaway alcohol sales which have been a lifeline to these small businesses. […]
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January 1, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Over three hundred small independent breweries have signed a letter by the Society of Independent Brewers to the Prime Minister, calling on him to commit to proper support for the sector which has been decimated by Covid lockdown in 2020. Small breweries have faced harsh restrictions on their businesses over the last year and saw […]
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December 2, 2020 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Today, the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) is calling upon the Government to redistribute the £585m in business rate relief returned by Tesco’s to 40,000 pubs and 2,000 breweries that have suffered hardest during the crisis. This fund could provide each pub and each brewery in the country with up to £14,000 each, helping them […]
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November 16, 2020 | by Barry Watts | Industry News
The transition period with the EU will end in December 2020. From 1 January 2021, new customs rules will come into force and brewers that export need to make a number of changes. These will come into force even if there is a new trade agreement with the EU. Brewers will need to make sure […]
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