The brewing industry has urged the government to take action that will help them to revive the flagging pubs industry.
Research from the British Beer and Pub Association indicates that beer sales fell by 3.9 per cent in the last 12 months, highlighting the major contributing factor as a 7.5 per cent slump in pub transactions.
The trade body also notes that since March 2008, beer sales in pubs have fallen by 20.2 per cent, during which time beer has been subjected to a 26.21 per cent increase in duty.
Brigid Simmonds, the BBPA's chief executive, says that the government has always viewed the brewing industry as a "golden goose", but legislation is hurting sales and preventing firm from achieving growth.
"The government should abandon plans for above-inflation hikes in beer tax in the Budget, as further rises are simply unsustainable," she said.
Burton MP Andrew Griffiths has also voiced his concerns over the way tax legislation is stunting growth in the brewing industry.
He recently told the Burton Mail he would be meeting with members of the Treasury to discuss the matter.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the brewing industry includes: elevators – bucket elevators – valves
