Pubs and papers: pillars of local life that deserve all our support

As someone who is found perhaps more frequently than I should be in my local pub, I'm genuinely thrilled that the government has finally recognised the need for action to support these institutions.

- By News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith

Whether it is catching up with friends over a pint, watching sport, or enjoying a quiet moment at the bar - I know just how vital these establishments are to the soul of our communities. But pubs, like local newspapers, are facing an uphill battle to survive.

As part of its review of the Licensing Act 2003 which applies to England and Wales, the government's Licensing Taskforce came up with some very sensible proposals to support the hospitality sector - both long-established venues that are struggling with rising costs and fewer punters, and those seeking to bring new watering holes to our high streets.

But one proposal in the package of 10 recommendations has been particularly ill thought out; namely, the suggestion that removing licensing application notices from local newspapers is somehow a necessary cut to bureaucratic red tape. In reality, this proposal, which was trailed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, would amount to a betrayal - not only of local papers and the essential role they play in informing the public, but also of the very community institutions like pubs that these notices often concern.

Because make no mistake: pubs and papers go hand in hand. They are community hubs, rooted in place, fostering connection, and acting as a glue that binds neighbourhoods together.

Both have suffered heavily in recent years - from the pandemic, changing consumer habits, and rising costs - but both have also shown remarkable grit and innovation in rising to the challenge.