North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, secured a place for Barum Brewery’s ‘Original’ pint on tap in the Houses of Parliament and has called on the government for more support for North Devon’s pubs and hospitality sector.
North Devon’s MP, Ian Roome, was joined behind the bar by Barum Brewery’s Tim Webster to pull a pint, describing it as “a taste of home”, as part of a push for more support for pubs and the hospitality sector.
Barum Brewery has been producing real ale behind The Reform Inn in Pilton, Barnstaple, since 1996. The pub remains the brewery’s tap, with its beer distributed across Devon.
Ian Roome MP used the occasion to highlight the pressure facing pubs, breweries and other hospitality businesses across North Devon, saying that rising energy bills, business rates and employer National Insurance costs have left many places struggling to remain viable.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency cut in VAT for hospitality businesses, proper reform of the business-rates system and an end to the Government’s damaging “jobs tax” on employers.
North Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP, Ian Roome, said:
“I was so pleased to be able to secure a place from Barum Brewery’s pint in Parliament and bring a proper taste of North Devon to Westminster.
“Pubs and the hospitality sector are so important to North Devon; they support local jobs, bring people together and are a huge part of our visitor economy. But pubs, breweries and hospitality venues are being badly let down by the government and squeezed from every direction. I’ve spoken to many locally that are genuinely worried about whether they can keep going.
“If we want our local pubs and businesses to survive, we have to support them. And in Parliament, I’m calling for emergency VAT relief, fairer business rates and ending the unfair jobs tax. The Liberal Democrats will keep pushing for that support in Parliament, because once a village pub or independent brewery is lost, it is very difficult to bring it back.”
