Greg Mulholland in North Kingston

Chair of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, Leeds NW Lib Dem, Greg Mulholland, visited Kingston earlier this week.

Greg visitied the Willoughby Arms in North Kingston where he met local residents and publicans and talked about the next stage of the campaign to Save Our Pubs - ending permitted development rights that can see pubs change use to a supermarket or estate agent without any public say so.

Greg and the all party group have tabled and amendment to the Infrastructure Bill on Monday to remove permitted development rights for pubs.

More here.

Richmond Park candidate, Robin Meltzer and landlord, Rick Robinson, welcome Greg to the Willoughby Arms in North Kingston.

Jesus found in Kingston pub

I took this photo in the toilet of the best pub in Kingston this evening...

Kingston Lib Dems launch local election campaign

Council leader Liz Green among a group of campaigners and candidates launch the party's 2014 manifesto which contains a commitment to build four new primary schools and another new secondary.  At of course the Willoughby Arms...

VAT cut day to support local pubs

Many local pubs today are reducing their prices by 7.5% to highlight just one of the unfair conditions they operate under compared to supermarkets.  They are calling for a reduced rate of VAT for the hospitality industry in order to help them comptete with the big supermarkets.  The BBC report has more.

It is clear many local pubs are operating under extremly unfavourable conditions - particularly those who are being forced to finance the over-leveraging by the big pubco's management.

I can't see the VAT cut getting Treasury support - even if their estimated cost of introducing the measure of £9bn is proved to be an exaggeration.

But if the day highlights the plight of many pubs and encourages the Business Minister Jo Swinson to move quickly to end many of the unfair pubco practices - it will have served its purpose.

Jo Swinson meets Kingston publicans

Business minister and Lib Dem rising star, Jo Swinson, came to Kingston this evening to talk to local publicans and CAMRA members about the problems in the trade. 

She got a good reception and the recent announcement from the Business Department aimed at tackling unfair business practices of the pubcos was well received.  Other issues raised included the lack of planning powers for local councils to prevent surreptitious change of use, minimum pricing, duties and the beer escalator.

Thanks to Rick at the fantastic Willoughby Arms for hosting.

Friday favourite 54

I first heard this in my local pub the other week. The wonderful Willoughby Arms in Kingston.