Anne Main MP held a debate in Parliament in January in her fight for the pubs and small businesses of St Albans.
She argued for the revision of the business rates system that affects small businesses on the high street, but also up and down the country.
As featured in our December edition of MyStAlbansNews, Anne visited St Albans high street last with the campaign group, Save St Albans Pubs, and went on a tour of several pubs that have faced huge rate increases.
Anne has consistently fought for a fairer rate to protect these businesses that are the true backbone of St Albans and her next move was to argue it in Parliament.
She started the debate by urging the Minister, Jeremey Hunt to listen carefully to pub owners who are evidently struggling.
The business rate formula that was supposed to help pubs has backfired resulting in a hike in rates for small independent chains. Mrs Main warned that this could lead to a “cut to staff members, or even worse, close their businesses altogether.”
She went on to say: “(It is the) small independent pubs, often run by one or two people who have put their lifeblood into those pubs that are suffering.”
Anne said: “The formula must be revised.”
Other members were quick to show support in this debate and it was clear that a cross-party group of MPs share Mrs Main’s concerns.
Christo Tofalli, landlord of the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks and member of the Save St Albans Pubs campaign, backs the debate.
He said: “We’re really excited to be working with the government advising on business rates that have affected UK pubs. Our work will hopefully reform the rates and save the thousands of pubs that are left in the UK.”
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