Good beer - and where to find it
By This is SouthDevon | Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 14:01
NEW figures show that two pubs every day close across Britain, the majority of them tied into leases with national companies.
Now real ale campaigners are calling for Government action to reform the market and give Britain’s small pubs a fighting chance.
The comments came as the Campaign for Real Ale published the Good Beer Guide 2012, which features a range of South Devon’s best pubs.
Roger Protz, CAMRA Good Beer Guide editor, said: “These figures show a spiralling decline in the tied pub sector, brought about by big pubcos squeezing their licensees with high beer prices and creating an environment where many publicans are unable to invest in their businesses."
Mr Protz is calling on the Government to introduce free market reforms which will help save the nation's pubs. The Good Beer Guide is seeking the flexibility for licensees to have the option to become free of tie accompanied by a rent review carried out by a qualified and independent surveyor. Publicans who prefer to remain within the existing tie should be allowed to buy one guest real ale.
Local pubs in the new guide include:
The Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell
The Bishop John de Grandisson, Bishopsteignton
The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth
The Pigs Nose Inn, East Prawle
The Union Inn, Moretonhampstead
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