Exeter MP says he did lobby for pubs as city boozer ‘bars’ him

Exeter’s MP has defended his efforts to lobby for pubs as a city establishment claims to have barred him and other Labour politicians.

The Stand Off, on Exeter’s Longbrook Street, posted on Facebook that it had decided to bar Steve Race from its site, alongside other Labour politicians, over what the owners claim is a “lack of support” for the industry from the government.
Pubs were among those hit in the Budget last year, when business rate reliefs for the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sectors were removed.
As part of its business rates review, the government did give RHL businesses a lower multiplier rate, effectively providing the sector with a discount compared to businesses of a similar size outside those sectors.
But the pub industry has been united in its opposition to the move, stating that alongside rising costs, wages, and inflation, the economics of running a pub are becoming more challenging than ever.
Just in Devon alone, a handful of well-known pubs closed within the first couple of weeks of January, with others seeing owners opting to move on and leaving the premises for new occupants.
The Facebook post from The Stand Off, which describes itself as a premium sports bar and restaurant, said: “We at The Stand Off fully support the current sentiment of the whole of the hospitality industry from the lack of support our government is giving our industry.
“So until further notice, Steve Race MP (and any other Labour MP or councillor) is BARRED from our pub.”
It added a pub “shouldn’t be a political place” and that “everyone is welcome”, but “the government isn’t making it easy for us to stay quiet and neutral at this current time”.
Mr Race said he had been to visit several landlords in the city in the past few weeks to discuss the issue of business rates.
“Based on those conversations, I went back to the Treasury and asked them to look again at pubs, small music venues and the wider hospitality industry. I’m pleased that they have listened to the concerns of myself and my colleagues and the sector, to give more support to pubs and music venues,” he said.
“The Covid-era discounts are phased out in a way that caps the [business rate] rises, with £4.3 billion of taxpayer support.
“From April, every pub and grassroots music venue will get an additional 15 per cent off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at the Budget, and then bills will be frozen for a further two years.
“Three-quarters of pubs will see bills flat or falling from April, and as a sector, pubs will pay 8 per cent less in business rates in 2029 than they do right now.”
He added he was “pleased we are making it easier for pubs to do business”, such as by letting them open later for key match days in the World Cup and doubling the Hospitality Support Fund.
“It’s a shame I won’t be able to pop-in for a pint and a chat at The Stand Off, but I’m proud of all our pubs, breweries and cider mills and will continue to fight for their success,” Mr Race added.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has responded to the government’s move to give pubs and some other businesses a 15 per cent discount on their new business rates bills.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “We are pleased the government has listened to our concerns, and those of publicans, consumers and MPs who rallied to defend our locals.
This pub-specific package will stave off the immediate financial threat posed by accelerating business costs and will help keep the doors open for many.
“This additional support will provide certainty for tens of thousands of pubs, with many seeing their bills frozen or falling and there will be a sigh of relief from landlords across the country.
“We will now work closely with government to establish a transformative long-term plan that works for all pubs through permanent business rates reform to ensure they remain at the heart of communities.”