MP CALLS FOR A RETURN TO 'PUB CULTURE' TO ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
February 19, 2008 12:00 AM
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West and member of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and CAMRA , has tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling for a return to traditional ' pub culture ' in this country .
Marking CAMRA's Community Pubs Week this week, which celebrates our community pubs, in the motion Mr Mulholland calls for recognition of the role that community pubs play in bringing people together and engendering an atmosphere of convivial and responsible drinking.
His motion also calls for more support for pubs and changes to planning legislation which will give pubs more protection from redevelopment.
Commenting Greg said:
"People, including Government Ministers, keep saying we need to move to some kind of 'continental cafe culture' in this country when what we really need is to support traditional 'pub culture'.
"Real community pubs, where people meet to socialise with friends and neighbours, provide an environment in which people can and do enjoy alcohol responsibly. If there was more emphasis on this genuine 'pub culture' in this country, we would not have many of the problems associated with excessive drinking.
"We should recognise the importance of these pubs to local communities and the Government needs to bring in changes to legislation to protect them. The number of pubs closing is a matter of real concern for us as a society and if we don't act soon, we will lose an important part of our heritage.
"But we would also lose an important way of encouraging a healthier attitude towards alcohol in this country. We need more action to tackle irresponsible drink promotions in city centre bars and supermarkets, but we also do need more to support our pubs and preserve British pub culture."
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