Fear pub losses to rise after Budget

FEARS have been raised that budget changes and ongoing financial pressures could result in more Dorset pub closures.

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West Dorset Campaign for Real ‘Ale spokesman Rich Gabe, pictured below, said: “As long as supermarkets are allowed to offer crazy loss-leading promotions using alcohol as a tool and governments keep a high level tax rate and business rate for pubs it will always be a one-sided challenge - this is the reason so many publicans are forced to leave or sell their pubs”

‘The group says that despite the belief that many local pubs are brewery-owned, many are effectively privately owned, or held by a specialist pub company, or property companies.