Last week the Chancellor’s pubs guarantee came into force, meaning that the duty paid on pints in pubs is now less than supermarkets. Changes to the alcohol duty system – which sees drinks now taxed by strength – have also come into effect, as has the new ‘Small Producers Relief’ which will help new businesses grow and innovate.
These changes are designed to help pubs and smaller producers. We have locally many brilliant pubs and local drinks producers.
Pubs can be a tough market: we nearly all want to have a friendly "local" but over recent years everything from Netflix to cheaper off-sales has had a negative impact. Happily though pubs remain a really popular way to meet up with friends, enjoy a meal or in some cases listen to live music or watch sporting events as part of a shared experience.
Sussex is noted not just for its pubs but for its fine products. I recently visited House Coren – a family-run winery nestled in The Haven whose vines are about to give their first full harvest. You may have seen the team serving their successful ‘Boco’ at local community events.
Last month I was delighted to meet Russell and David, the team behind JB Cider, at a glorious apple orchard in Maplehurst which is at the heart of their cider. It was lovely to hear about the history and technique that goes into this award-winning cider with its strong ties with the Broadwood Morris Men.
Down the road from “JB” is the family-run ‘Trenchmore Farm’ which I visited to mark ‘British Cider Week’ it's ‘Silly Moo Cider’ can be enjoyed over the counter or at the Farm itself.
I also recently popped into Firebird Brewery in Rudgwick. I am so pleased that Firebird, with its excellent beers, are celebrating their tenth anniversary next month.
Lastly I would like to mention that this Saturday (12th August) is the Shelley Memorial Project’s sponsored nine mile walk to raise funds for a memorial to Percy Bysshe Shelley who was born near Warnham. It should be a lovely walk through local sites well known to the poet. The Team is very happy for others to join them and the walk starts at 10am outside St Mary’s Church, Horsham.
