As the MP for Northampton North I was delighted to be invited by Punch Taverns to support the launch of The Gallery, a newly-renovated pub on Farmhill Road, Southfields on Friday 27th March, which has just completed £250,000 of new investment.
I am a big supporter of the English pub, and we all know that pubs are more than just a place to buy a drink, they are often at the centre of our communities.
The Gallery is now open and is very well appointed with high-definition large screen TV’s everywhere- and a great local couple, Danny and Sally, looking after the pub.
Northampton has many great pubs, and many of our ageing historic pubs are undergoing renovations- which is boosting the pub industry and local economy. In 2014, the Albion Brewery began brewing beer in the town again for the first time since 1919, a sign of a healthy industry.
In the Budget last week, I was pleased to see the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP announce another cut in the price of beer duty by 1p a pint for the third year running.
Duty on wine was frozen whilst Duty on spirits, ciders and Scotch whisky were also cut by 2%. This will help West Country cider producers, our resurgent gin industry and will back our booming Whisky industry- one of the UK’s biggest exports.
I was really pleased to see the Chancellor once again getting behind people who enjoy a pint or glass of wine at their local pub and I welcome the new jobs it will help create in our brewing and pub industries in Northampton and around the country.