I still nip back to my local when I can..the Mirror's right: we must save our pubs

Starmer on board as industry faces rising costs & falling custom

- LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor and GRAHAM HISCOTT Head of Business

KEIR Starmer puts his money where his mouth is in support of our campaign to save the nation's pubs - by nipping out of No10 for a pint at his old local.

With our boozers still reeling from the Covid pandemic and the energy crisis, the Mirror is calling for action to help them keep their place at the heart of our communities.

The Prime Minister said: "They are the places where friends, family, community come together around something which is very British the pub.

"It's a place of warmth, of opportunity, to have a nice time with friends, family and for people to have the friendship and engagement that is so important to their wellbeing." He added that he has nipped the few miles back to the Pineapple in Kentish Town, North West London, since he and his wife Victoria moved into Downing Street last summer.

"There's nothing any of us like better than going to the local for a pint, myself included," he said. "We've managed to get back in there a couple of times since I've been PM, which shows that I'm not just supporting your campaign, I'm voting with my feet.” The Mirror is calling for the government to back pubs with a fighting fund for hard-hit boozers and proper recognition for pubs that are the heart of our communities.