Model Jodie Kidd backs petition calling for a reduction in beer duty

Jodie Kidd has hand delivered a petition signed by 126,000 people calling for a reduction in beer duty and business rates ahead of the autumn budget next week.

The former model has owned The Half Moon pub in Kirdford, near Chichester, since 2017.

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She purchased the Grade II-listed, 15th-century building to stop it being turned into houses, but says before the business could break even, the pandemic hit.

The former model has owned The Half Moon pub in Kirdford, near Chichester, since 2017

The landlady said with more than 1,000 local pubs having already closed this year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has a chance to save many more.

“As a publican myself, I understand just how tough it has been for pubs across the UK over the last 18 months with revenues hit hard due to Covid-19,” she said.

“My own pub is still only operating at 30 per cent of 2019 trading revenue levels.

“The whole pub and brewing sectors recovery is still extremely fragile but next week, Rishi Sunak has the chance to secure the future of up to 20,000 pubs that are at risk of business failure by reversing his plans to increase VAT, Beer Duty and VAT.”

Jodie Kidd has hand delivered a petition signed by 126,000 people calling for a reduction in beer duty and business rates

The plea comes as new research reveals that half of the country’s boozers — around 20,000 — are under threat, putting 200,000 jobs at risk.

Jodie arrived at the Chancellor’s local Westminster Arms in a lorry loaded with beer kegs, with a message reading "20,000 rubs at risk", before visiting 10 Downing Street to hand deliver the petition.

The stunt is in support of the Long Live The Local campaign.

“The pub is part of our lives. You just hop in and meet some friends, have a delicious meal and a pint,” Jodie said.

“They really are the heart of communities. They are part of our heritage and history.”

The Long Live The Local campaign is asking the government for lower VAT, beer duty and business rates to help pubs and breweries recover from the pandemic and accelerate the return to growth.

According to the campaign, Britain’s pubs and brewing sector supports 936,000 jobs, paying more than £14 billion in wages.

In addition, Britain’s pubs and breweries contribute £26 billion to the economy and generate over £15 billion in tax revenues.

The former model has owned The Half Moon pub in Kirdford, near Chichester, since 2017

David Cunningham, campaign director, said: “Pubs are the heart of our communities across the nation, bringing people together, and providing the largest social outreach service in the UK helping tackle social isolation and loneliness.

“Although pubs fully reopened in July many are still operating at less than 90 per cent of their 2019 trading levels and have large debts to pay and increasing costs.

“Despite this precarious position, the government is planning to increase beer duty in the autumn budget and increase VAT and business rates.

“They need help not only to fully recover but to thrive in the future which is why Long Live The Local, along with the help of Jodie Kidd and 120,000 pub goers and beer drinkers, are calling on the Government to lower VAT, beer duty and business rates.”