On Friday evening (28 October) Dan found out more about the pub trade and the issues affecting it, while also getting the chance to pull pints for some of his constituents.
Dan Rogerson is the fifth Cornish MP to accept a personal invitation from St Austell Brewery’s Managing Director, James Staughton, to visit one of their local pubs and spend a night pulling pints.
Mr Staughton said: “I am delighted our MPs have taken the opportunity to show their support for the industry and learn a bit more about the pressures faced by pubs and their staff. Pubs play a vital role in our economy and are often the hub of local communities.
“St Austell Brewery is committed to ensuring that local pubs retain their special character and remain vibrant places, well placed to serve their communities in the years to come. While we are confident the vast majority of pubs in the region can have a strong, positive future we know only too well the daily pressures in adapting to customer behaviour and market change and it is a sad fact that in some cases the viability of individual pubs will be threatened.
“Issues such as record levels of red tape and beer tax need addressing if we are to help protect this great British institution and promote safe, responsible drinking – and our MPs can help make that happen.”
Speaking after his evening at the Molesworth Arms, Dan Rogerson said: “Talking to the landlord, staff, and Jim Sloan of St Austell Brewery gave us all a chance to discuss the issues affecting local pubs, which are so often at the heart of our communities, and are vitally important to the economies of our towns and villages.”
“I know that St Austell Brewery have arranged similar sessions with other Cornish MPs, and it’s great that the brewery, landlords, staff and politicians are sharing experience and ideas to safeguard the future of community pubs."
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