Prime Minister needs to make it his New Year’s resolution to help small breweries
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 sales plummet by an average of 80% during lockdown, but have not received much of the support given to the wider hospitality sector.
To make matters worse for struggling businesses the Government is planning a tax increase for brewers with their changes to Small Breweries’ Relief (SBR) – the scheme that revolutionised brewing in the UK and made it viable for small businesses to compete against the Global beer companies.
“Over three hundred small breweries coming together to write to the Prime Minister will we hope convey the depth of feeling from the independent brewing sector that it has constantly been overlooked, but more so that it is imperative this Government acts now or risks setting the British brewing industry back a decade with widespread business closures. The hugely important Christmas period has been a joyless one for brewers, as the vast majority of their market is closed yet there has been no compensation and little support forthcoming.
The Prime Minister needs to make it his New Year’s resolution to help small breweries, secure the future of one of Britain’s most successful manufacturing industries and deliver an urgent package of direct support for small independent breweries.” James Calder, Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Chief Executive.
SIBA are calling on the Prime Minister to: Extend the hospitality support to cover small breweries, including the Business Rates holiday; secondly, compensate small brewers for the millions of pints that have to be thrown away when pubs are forced to close; and finally to scrap the proposed changes to Small Brewers Relief to create a sustainable future for the industry.
The letter has been delivered to the Prime Minister today and asks ‘Please make it your New Year resolution to assist those who have missed out on Covid support this year: Our small independent breweries.’ It also highlights the symbiotic relationship between small breweries and pubs and that breweries did not receive the Business Rates holiday, £25,000 hospitality grant, or direct support in the VAT cut or Eat Out to Help Out schemes, both of which excluded alcohol including beer.
The letter comes following the Scottish Government pledging £1.8m for small breweries in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland, business rates holidays have been extended to manufacturers – policies which SIBA argues could and should be mirrored by the UK Government.
The letter full text & signatories can be found below:
Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
Westminster
London, SW1A 2AA
31 December 2020
Dear Prime Minister
Please make it your New Year resolution to assist those who have missed out on Covid support this year: Our small independent breweries.
Small independent breweries are community focused, local businesses that continue to be seriously impacted by the tough restrictions and the closure of pubs. We have been left out of the Government’s support of hospitality and now face a tax rise at the exact moment of economic crisis.
COVID WITHOUT SUPPORT
Small breweries have a symbiotic relationship with pubs and during the lockdowns, when pubs are forced to close, we lost more than 80% of our trade. At the same time we have been one step behind the rest of hospitality when it comes to Government support. We did not receive:
- the business rates holiday
- £25,000 grant
- direct support in the VAT cut and Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
During lockdown, 5 million pints of spoilt beer had to be poured away with small brewers footing the bill. The tier restrictions have decimated our trade. Even though we have no one to sell to, we are not seen as closed businesses for Government support. Many small breweries have also not qualified for discretionary local authority grants. We are now running on empty and we have already seen two small breweries a week closing for good this summer, during winter those numbers are likely to rise.
To make matters worse, your Government has recently announced a tax hike on small brewers. Hundreds of small independent breweries will be expected to pay more to the Treasury through planned changes to Small Breweries’ Relief. The change to a ‘cash basis’ rather than relief being calculated on a percentage basis will also mean every small brewery will pay more automatically when reforms come in. Now is simply not the time for a tax hike on small businesses.
SOLUTION TO #BACKLOCALBEER AND SECURE GROWTH
We need an urgent package of support to get us through this crisis before it is too late, and what we are asking for is very simple. Scotland has recently announced direct grants for small breweries and Northern Ireland has extended Business Rates holidays to include our sector. The Government should:
- Extend the hospitality support to cover small breweries, including the Business Rates holiday
- Compensate small brewers for the millions of pints that have to be thrown away when pubs are forced to close
- Scrap the proposed changes to Small Brewers Relief so we can have a sustainable future as an industry.
You have an unenviable job and we are not wanting to write a letter of grievances to you as Prime Minister, but we as an industry are peering over the edge, into the abyss. It’s time to act and support small businesses and small breweries, so that we can continue to grow and create skilled jobs in the future. Please #backlocalbeer.
Yours sincerely,
James Calder
Chief Executive
Society of Independent Brewers
Laura Rangeley
Communications Manager
Abbeydale Brewery Ltd
Dave Hughes
Managing Director
Acorn Brewery
Andy Herrington
Owner & MD
Ainsty Ales Brewery
Thomas Hick
Founder/ Managing Director
Allendale Brew Co Ltd
Jair Sian
Managing Director
Alphabet Brewing Company
Andrew Hipwell
Director
Ampersand Brew Co Ltd
David Gibbons
Chairman
Amwell Springs Brewery Company Ltd
Richard Martin
Managing Director
Andwell Brewing Company Ltd
John Hobday
Director
Anspach & Hobday
Gerald Michaluk
Managing Director
Arran Brewery
Brian Taylor
Managing Director
Artisan Craft Brewery Ltd
Stuart Walker
Owner
Arundel Brewery
Chris Davies
Director
Ascot Brewing Company
Michael Richards
Head Brewer
Axholme Brewing Co
Dean Baker
Director / Head Brewer
Baker’s Dozen Brewing Co.
David Sweeney
Owner
Bank Top Brewery Limited
David Snaith
Director
Barnard Castle Brewing Co
Roland Elliott-Berry
Director
Battledown Brewing Co.
Ian Mcgrath
Brewer
Beath Brewing
Mark Riches
Managing Director
Beeston Brewery Ltd
James Atherton
Director
The Beerblefish Brewing Company
Dave Carr
Director/co-owner
Bewdley Brewery Ltd
Cliff Murphy
Owner
Bexley Brewery
Paul Jefferies
Director
Big Bog Brewing Company Limited
Rob Fink
CEO
Big Drop Brewing
Adrian Porteous
Owner
Big Stone Beer Ltd
Trevor Jeffery
Director
Billericay Brewing
Darren Marks
Brewer/Director
Bingley Brewery
Alex Wilson
Director
Black Iris Brewery
Jonathon Crump
Managing Director
Black Tor Brewery
Wayne Roper
Owner/Director
Blackedge Brewing Company Ltd
Lloyd Chamberlain
Company Director
Blindmans Brewery Limited
Amanda Robson
Managing Director
Blue Monkey Brewery
Emily Hutchinson
Director
Bluestone Brewing Company
Alex Dudley
Partner
Blythe Brewery
Petr Skocek
Director
Bohem Brewery
Lee Wainwright
Manging Director
Bollington Brewing Co. ltd
Roy Allkin
Director
Boss Brewing Co Ltd
Richard Marsden
Director
Bosun’s Brewing Co.
Andrew Warburton
Director
Bowland Brewery
Dave Gowler
Director
Bowler’s Brewery
Ray Page
Director
Bowman Ales Ltd
Lisa Moat
Director
Bradfield Brewery Ltd
David Evans
Director
Braemar Brewing Co. Ltd
Robat Jones
Director
Bragdy Lleu Cyf
Jon Leeming
Director
Brampton Brewery
Paul Dimond
Company Chairman
Branscombe Vale Brewery
Phil Saltonstall
Director
Brass Castle Brewery
Roland Kannor
Managing Director
Brentwood Brewery
Wayne Smith
Managing Director
Brew York Ltd
Sven Kerstens
Manager Brewpubs Brewdog
Brewdog Tower Hill
Sara Barton
Co-owner and Director
Brewster’s Brewing Co Ltd
Ian Stewart
Owner, Founder
Brick Brewery
James Kelly
Brewery Manager
Bridgehouse Brewery
Giles Hawkins
Proprietor
Bridgetown Brewery
Neil Friedrich
Director
Brightside Brewing Company Ltd
Mark Baxter
Sales & Operations Manager
Brimstage Brewery
Lee Renforth
Founder & Owner
Brinkburn St Brewery
Martin Smith
Owner / Director
Broxbourne Brewery Ltd
Peter Alldis
Director/Owner
Brumaison Ltd
James Salmon
Director
Brunswick Brewing Company Ltd
William Mayne
Managing Director
Bullhouse Brewing Company Ltd
Duncan Castling
Brewing Partner
Bun Dubh, Crafty Enviropunk Brewing, Tiree
Mark Tranter
Director
Burning Sky
Geoff Mumford
Co-Director
Burton Bridge Brewery Ltd
Lee Byatt
Owner
Byatt’s Brewery
Samantha Faircliff
Managing Director
Cairngorm Brewery
Sam Calverley
Owner
Calverley’s Brewery
Alison Davis
Partner
Carlisle Brewing Co
Theo Corfield
Proprietor
Castle Brewery
Colin Wilde
Managing Director
Castle Rock Brewery
Duncan Vessey
Owner
Castor Ales
Mick Warburton
Director
Chantry Brewery Ltd
Jem Ham
Managing Director
Cheddar Ales Ltd
Nicholas Gillard
Proprietor
CHI Brewery
Sam Brown
Director
Church Farm Brewery
Kay Edwards
Director
City Of Cambridge
Brett Stephens
Director
Clearwater Brewery Limited
Robert Hinde
Owner
Coastal Brewery
Thomas Knox
Joint MD
Colchester Brewery
Buster Grant
Head Brewer
Cold Black Label / Brecon Brewing / Lithic Brewing
Stephen O’Connor
Director / Founder / Brewer
Common Rioters Beer Limited
Gordon Wilkinson
Head Brewer
Copper Dragon
Norman Pearce
Owner/brewer
Corvedale Brewery
Steve Williams
Brewer
Cotswold Lion
Colin Bocking
Director
Crouch Vale Brewery Limited
David Snaith
Director
Crystalbrew Ltd
Anna Scantlebury
Director
Cullercoats Brewery Limited
Adam Cox
General Manager
Daleside Brewery
Richard Eyton-Jones
Owner
Dark Horse Brewery
Ian Cobham
Managing Director
Dartmoor Brewery Ltd
Gavin Sutherland
Brewing & Development Manager
Darwin Brewery Ltd
Glen Dawkins
Proprietor
Dawkins Ales
George Stewart
Director
Deeply Vale Brewery LTD
Ben Taub
Director
Deviant & Dandy
William Douglas
Director
Docks Beers
Neel Singh
Managing Director
Dorking Brewery
Giles Smeath
Managing Director
Dorset Brewing Company
Ian Burns
Brewer
Dove Street Brewery
Simon Carruthers
Director/Brewer
Dowr Kammel Brewing Company Ltd
Craig Lee
Brewer
Drone Valley Brewery
Alex Lewis
Founder / Brewer
Earth Ale
Tony Pygott
Proprietor
8 Sail Brewery
Belinda Sutton
Managing Director
Elgood & Sons Ltd
Andy Parker
Director
Elusive Brewing
Nick Law
Director
Emmanuales
Barrie Roberts
Director
The Ennerdale Brewery
Vanesa Blas Montoya
Head brewer
Essex Street Brewery
Libby Stroud-Kroon
Managing Director/ Owner
Exe Valley Brewery Limited
Alan Collyer
Managing director
Exeter Brewery
Mark Moran
Director
The Ferry Brewery
Bill King
Director/Brewer
Firebird Brewing Company
Sam Kellie
Director
First & Last Brewery
Richard Garner
Managing Director
First Chop Brewing Arm Ltd
Edward Mason
Co-Founder
The Five Points Brewing Company
Edward Blockley
Owner
Flash Brewery
Martin Wood
Head brewer
Fool Hardy Ales
Steve Ryan
CEO / Co-Founder
40FT Brewery
Jordan Millington
Director
4Ts Brewhouse
Thomas Fownes
Director / Brewer
Fownes Brewing Co.
Toby Ejsmond-Frey
Director
Friendship Adventure
Richard Lyall
Director
Frome Brewing Company Ltd
Ben Cleary
Owner
Full Circle Brew Co
Ben Croston
Managing Director
Fuzzy Duck Brewery
Mark Mawson
Director
George’s Brewery
Sam McMeekin
Managing Director
The Gipsy Hill Brewing Company
Calum McCormick
Director
Glen Affric Brewery
Stephen Taylor
Director
The Godstone Brewers Ltd
Libby Elswood
Sales & Operations Manager
Goffs Brewery
Zack Ahmed
Director
The Goodness Brewing Company
David Atkinson
Director
Goose Eye Brewery Ltd.
John Allcroft
Sales Manager
Grafton Fine Ales
Phil Halls
Director
Grain Brewery
Ben Duck
Director
Gravity Well Brewing Company
Matthew Hodgson
Director
Great Newsome Brewery
Paul Minnikjn
Managing Director
The Great North Eastern Brewing Co Ltd
Leanne Stone
Director
Great Western Brewery
Alan Preece
Director
Green Duck Beer Co. Ltd
Sue Staunton
Sales, Marketing & Finance Manager
Green Jack Brewing Company Ltd
James Robson
Managing Director
Grounding Angels Brew Co
Mark Berry
Director
Gun Brewery
Nigel Smith
Proprietor brewer
Gwaun Valley Brewery
Jonathan Hosking
Director / Brewer
GYLE 59
Peter Hills
Director
Hackney Brewery
William Compton
Head Brewery/Director
Hadham Brewery
Shona Burrows
Director
Hadrian Border
Jackie Rogers
Owner
Half Moon Brewery Ltd
Ben Harrison
Managing Director
Hanbleton Brewery
Stuart Cail
Master Brewer/Director
Harviestoun Brewery
Kevin Hunt
Owner
Hattie Browns Brewery Ltd
Marc Sage
Owner
Hedgedog Brewing Ltd
Kyle Boote
Owner
Helmsley Brewing Co.
Richard Marshall
Proprietor/Head Brewer
Hermitage Brewery
Heather Scott
Partner
High House Farm Brewery
Sarah Saleh
Director
The Hop Shed
Robert Hayes
Owner
Hop & Stagger Brewery
Steve Hullah
Owner / Brewer
The Hop Studio
Antonius Prins
Director
Hopdaemon Brewery Co. Ltd
Stuart Swann
Director/Head Brewer
Howard Town Brewery Ltd
Peter Holt
Director
Howling Hops
John Ridealgh
Owner
Humber Doucy Brewing Company
Lesley George
Partner & Business Manager
Humpty Dumpty Brewery
Peter McNaught
Director
Hurly Burly Brewery Ltd
Fleur Lane
Owner/Operations Manager
Hurst Brewery Ltd
Rab Lee
Director / head brewer
Hybrid Brewing
Richard Shelton
Managing Director
Ilkley Brewery Co. Ltd
Simon Cockerill
Managing Director
Isaac Poad Brewing
Dirk Kelly
Director / Owner
Itchen Valley Brewery
Charles Abbott
Director
IVO Brewery Ltd
Beckie Thackeray
Credit Control Manager
Joules Brewery
Karen Moore
Director
Kelburn Brewery
Edward Wickett
Managing Director
Kelham Island Brewery
Evin O’Riordain
Director
The Kernel Brewery
Sue Jefferson
Director
Keswick Brewing Co
Antony Field
Director
Kettlesmith Brewing Co
Jez O’Neill
Proprietor and Brewer
King’s Cliffe Brewery
Charlotte Kerr
Administrator
Konigsberg Seven Bridges Breweries
Sean Gregory
Finance & Operations Director
Lacons Brewery Limited
Robert Dockerty
Managing Director
Larkins Brewery
Ant Stevens
Co-Owner / Brewer
Ledbury Real Ales
Alex Brandon-Davies
Head Brewer
Legitimate Industries
Ian Rydings
Director
Leigh on Sea Brewery
Jack Winter
Brewery Manager
Lenton Lane Brewery
Anthony Hughes
Director
Lincoln Green Brewing Company Limited
Rhys Brokenshire
Head Brewer
Lincolnshire Craft Beers Ltd
Alan Waite
Director
Lister’s Brewery
Mark Steer
Director
Little Critters Brewing Company
Aaron Baldwin
Director
Little Ox Brew Co
Wim van der Spek
Director
Little Valley Brewery
Tom Shea
Director
Liverpool Brewing Company
Christie Slater
Director
Loch Leven Brewery
Dan Hearn
Marketing Manager
Loddon Brewery
James Leaver
Marketing Manager
London Beer Factory
Senan Sexton
Director
London Brewing Co Ltd
Jamie Simm
Director
Long Man Brewery
Jeff Rosenmeier
Director
Lovibonds Brewery Ltd
Ian Sizer
Director
Luddite Brewing Co Ltd
Vivienne Bradford
Director
Lymestone Brewery
Sarah Blesson
Operations Manager
Mad Squirrel
Larissa Graeber
Director
The Mad Yank Brewery
Richard Lever
Director
Magic Dragon Brewing
Gavin Morrison
Director
Magpie Brewery
Rob Atkin
Director
Matlock Brewing Company Limited
William Dunn
Manager
Mauldons Ltd
Daniel McColl
Director / Brewer
McColl’s Brewery
Olga Zubrzycka
Director / Head Brewster
Mechanic Brewery
Richard Matthews
Director
Mile Tree Brewery Ltd
Kenneth Munro
Managing Director
Milestone Brewery
Richard Naisby
Managing Director
Milton Brewery
James Brown
Operations Manager
Moncada Brewery
Todd Matteson
Co-founder & Managing Director
Mondo Brewing Company
Rachel & David Holliday
Directors
Moon Gazer Ale at Norfolk Brewhouse
Dominic Hughes
Director
MoR Beers
Gary Morton
Owner
Morton Brewery
Tom Ray
Head Brewer
Mourne Mountains Brewery
Peter Turner
Director
Mumbles Brewery
Tony Williams
Founder/Owner
Musket Brewery
Les O’Grady
Director
Neptune Brewery Limited
John Bourdeaux
Managing Director
New River Brewery
Robert W March
Proprietor
Newby Wyke Brewery
Katie Marriott
Director
Nomadic Beers
Joel Graham
Office Manager
The Nook Brewhouse
John Gyngell
Director
North Brewing Co
Stuart Neilson
Joint owner
North Riding Brewery
Razvan Oltianu
Director
North Yorkshire Brewing Co LTD
Katie Spanjar
Co-owner
NorthDown Brewery
Brian Dickson
Technical Director
Northern Monk Brew Co
Geoff Hill
Proprietor
Noss Beer Works
Graham Kerry
General Manager
The Nottingham Brewery Ltd
David Sanders
Head Brewer
Old Mill Brewery
Andrew Stone
Director / head Brewer
Old Sawley Brewing Company
Daniele Costa
Director
Ora Brewing
Robert Middleton
Founder
Orbit Brewing Limited
Sean Griffiths
Sales Director
Ossett Brewery
Des Archer
Owner
Padstow Brewing Co
Richard Harrison
Director
Papworth Brewery
Frankie Kearns
Co-Founder
The Park Brewery
David Edwards
Managing Director and Brewer
Peakstones Rock Brewery
Rose Briscoe
Director
Peerless Brewing Company Ltd
Debbie Clayton
Director
Pennine Brewing
Mark Easterbrook
Director
Pheasantry Brewery
Alaric Neville
Managing Director
Phipps NBC
Andrew Will
Proprietor
The Plockton Brewery
Alex Lyster
Head of Sales
Pillars Brewery
John Magill
Managing Director
Powderkeg Brewery
Philip Scotney
Managing Director
Priors Well Brewery Ltd
Gill Stephenson
Owner
Prospect Brewery
Ryan Nish
Managing Director
Pure Beer
Paul Halsey
CEO
Purity Brewing Co
Lawrence Washington
Managing Director
Purple Moose Brewery Ltd
Cheryl Ford
Managing Director/Founder
Quantock Brewery
Eddie Gadd
Head Brewer
Ramsgate Brewery
Andy Mansell
Owner
Red Cat Brewing
Andrew Moffat
Director
Redemption Brewing Company Limited
Toby McKenzie
Director
RedWillow Brewery
Mark Seaman
Director
Revolutions Brewing Company Ltd
Dave Lannigan
Head Brewer
Ride Brew Co
Ian Fozard
Director
Rooster’s
Mark Higgs
General Manager
Salcombe Brewery
Mark Hill
Director
Salopian Brewery
Duncan Sambrook
Managing Director
Sambrook’s Brewery Limited
Stuart Deeley
Owner
Sandstone
Kit McAvoy
Director
Seven Bro7hers Brewery
Iain Crockett
Director
Severn Brewing
Moira Ross
Director
The Shotover Brewing Company
Charlie Luckin
Managing Director
Signal Brewery
Phil Sisson
Owner
Simple Things Fermentations
Stephen Ridgway
Director
Slaughterhouse Brewery
David Dooley
Director
SlyBeast Brewing
Keith Duddy
Managing Director
The Sociable Beer Company
Paul Bardsley
Director
Southport Brewery Ltd
Peter Jackson
Managing Director
Southwark Brewing Company
Richard Womersley
Director
Spotlight Brewing
Nick Smith
Director
Steam Machine Brewing Company LTD
Jo Stewart
Co-Founder
Stewart Brewing
Alison Parr
Director
Stonehouse Brewery Limited
Michael Hill
Director
Stratford International Brewery Ltd
Ben Buchanan
Sales Manager
Strathaven Ales
David Lewis
Proprietor
Summerskills Brewery
Ross Hunter
Director
Surrey Hills Brewery Ltd
Rob Hill
Owner
Swannay Brewery
Matt Elliott
Managing Director
Tap Social Movement
Terry Kinsella
Head Brewer
Tapeast
Christopher Gooch
Brewer
Teme Valley Brewery
David Dodd
Brewery Manager
Three Brothers Brewing Company Limited
Ewan McCann
Director
Three Kings Brewery
Wilson Digby
Sales Director
Three Sods Brewery
David Russell
Managing Director
Three Tuns Brewery
Tom Sell
Managing Director
ThreeAM Brewery
Matthew Stevenson
Director
Tinworks Brewing Co.
Chris Tomlinson
Director
Tirril Brewery
Keith Bott MBE
Director
Titanic Brewery
Sean Ayling
Owner
Tom’s Tap and Brewhouse
Rachel Mitchell
Director
Tractor Shed Brewing
John Lewis
Head Brewer
Treboom Brewery
George Brook
Owner
Triple Point Brewing
Frank Maguire
Head of Marketing
Truman’s Beer
James Carver
Manager
Tudor Brewery
Cameron McQueen
Co-owner
Turning Point Brewing Company
Andrew Murray
Director
Twisted Brewing
Keith Hayles
Director
Twisted Oak Brewery Ltd
Will Neaverson
Managing Director
Tydd Steam Brewery
Julia Austin
Managing Director
Tyne Bank Brewery
Jimmy Hatherley
Managing Director
Unity Brewing Co
Andy Ockleton
Director
Uttoxeter Brewing Company
Phil Newbould
Managing Director
Vale of Glamorgan Brewery Ltd
Jonathan Thomas
Customer Service and Sales
Wadworth
Jerry Lewitt
Director
Warwickshire Beer Company Ltd
Bryan Spooner
Owner
Weird Beard Brew Co
Geoff Southgate
Director
Wensleydale Brewery
Robert Wicks
Managing Director
Westerham Brewery Co Ltd
Jaega Wise
Head Brewer
Wild Card Brewery
Mike Tempest
Director
Wild Weather Ales Ltd
Giles Meadows
Director
Wincle Beer Company Ltd
Paddy Johnson
Production Director
Windsor and Eton Brewery
David Mackinnon
Director
Winton Brewery
Adrian Chapman
Director
Wishbone Brewery
John Edwards
Director
Wolf Brewery
Heather McDonald
Director
WooHa Brewing Company
Michael Whittaker
Director
Worsthorne Brewing Co Ltd
Gareth Xifaras
Director
XT Brewing Company
Rob Sherwood
Managing Director
Yeovil Ales Brewery
Nick Desai
Co-Founder
Zerodegrees
Kathy Britton
Owner
Zest Brewery
