Mel Stride MP joined Nick Silk, owner of The Lamb Inn at Sandford, on Saturday to discuss some of the challenges facing the pub industry. These included minimum wage increases, price rises such as energy costs, minimum pricing for alcohol in supermarkets and the underlying fear of Covid-19 restrictions returning. Nick explained how table service through apps for example isn’t cost effective for smaller rural pubs. On a positive note though, the pair did welcome the Chancellor’s recent 3p cut in Beer Duty.
Mel’s visit took place on Small Business Saturday, a national initiative in its 9th year that shines a light on the importance of supporting our smaller businesses.
Nick said:
“It was great to welcome Mel to The Lamb Inn. The support the pub industry has had from the Government during the pandemic has made a huge difference, especially the VAT reduction and Business Rate relief. These two actions have given businesses like mine a real chance to stay open, to continue buying local produce and employing local staff. We are also grateful for the recent Beer Duty cut. But there are still huge challenges and the industry will need further support if rural pubs are to survive.”
Mel added:
“The hospitality and catering sector has been among the hardest hit during the past two years. Having started my own business from scratch and run it for 20 years before being elected to Parliament I know that the margins between a business succeeding or failing can be very small and I will certainly take up the issues Nick raised.”
The award-winning Lamb Inn at Sandford, with its low beamed ceiling and 16th century inglenook fireplace, has become a popular wedding venue with 16 couples getting married there this year, either in the cobbled courtyard or newly refurbished Dowrich Room. 20 weddings are already booked for 2022. For more information visit www.lambinnsandford.co.uk.
Photo Credit: Crediton Courier.