CityLife

Brewer's Budget boost for drinkers

Joesph Holt CEO Richard Kershaw

THE boss of Joseph Holt says the pub and brewery group will not pass on the latest alcohol duty hike.

Defiant Richard Kershaw said the group, which operates 130 pubs and supplies 200 free trade outlets, would absorb the two per cent tax rise announced in last week’s Budget for the foreseeable future.

Mr Kershaw said the latest two per cent tax hike came on top of an unprecedented 18 per cent rise during 2008 and Chancellor Alistair Darling was planning more above-inflation rises over the next few years.

“Enough is enough and we are going to hold all duty increases throughout our pubs and to free trade customers," Mr Kershaw said.

Soak up

"We really feel the business is improving and this is a great opportunity to thank our customers and not increase duty.”

“We will have to soak up the two per cent but feel it’s worth it.

“We feel that unless the Chancellor stops attacking the pub industry then many more will close in the future."