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DUDLEY COUNCILLORS SET TO VOTE ON PLAN TO MAKE LOCAL PUBS COMMUNITY ASSETS TO OPEN UP CHANCE FOR CHANGES TO BUSINESS RATES MARTYN SMITH Local Democracy reporter and MARTYN SMITH, LOCAL
DEMOCRACY REPORTER 14:51, 30 May 2025 Dudley councillors will be asked to show support for local pubs by giving them official community asset status. Cllr Steve Edwards from the newly formed
Black Country Party plans to put a notice of motion to the full council giving pubs special recognition and financial support. Cllr Edwards, who represents Brockmoor and Pensnett, hopes
that making local pubs into recognised community assets will help slow down the number of closures by cutting costs. READ MORE: DUDLEY COUNCILLORS FORM NEW BLACK COUNTRY PARTY TO REJECT
WESTMINSTER POLITICS READ MORE: MIDLANDS COUNCIL CONFIRMS CASH TO BE USED TO PAY FOR PARK REVAMP He said: "Brockmoor and Pensnett was once home to over 20 pubs, we are now left with
just four. Within the authority, there is the ability to afford a discretionary rate relief if they have a community worth. "We believe local pubs, I'm not talking about
multi-national chains, have got local importance and should be recognised as such, I can't see why anybody would be against it." According to the British Beer and Pub Association
(BBPA), 289 pubs closed in England and Wales in 2024, at a cost of 4,500 jobs and the West Midlands was among the regions hit hardest. The organisation says one pound in every three spent in
pubs is swallowed up by tax. BBPA chief executive, Emma McClarkin, said: "The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade. Consumer demand is
there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills. "Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep
boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities." Cllr Edwards acknowledges people can buy drinks more cheaply in supermarkets but thinks the
council could help landlords to close the gap. DON'T MISS THE BIGGEST AND BREAKING STORIES BY SIGNING UP TO THE BIRMINGHAMLIVE NEWSLETTER HERE He said: "There is a big difference
in prices but if we can work with pubs to lower their expenses, so they can reduce the price of a pint, people will be happy to pay a little bit more for what they get in a pub – chat, watch
TV or entertainment. Article continues below "At the council we need to work out how we can give publicans a better deal on their rates so they can pass that saving on to customers and
grow their business."