Pub sector tops up local economy by £62 million - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has praised the pub and brewing sector as a 'major driver' of our economy. Figures show that local pubs and breweries 'top up' our economy by over £60 million per year.

Research by Oxford Economics found that in Westmorland and Lonsdale there are 11 breweries and 129 pubs, providing employment to 2,323 local people both directly and indirectly. The figures show that our area has the 4th highest number of breweries in the UK.

The gross value added by pubs and breweries in our area was £62.3 million and the tax take for the exchequer was £26.1 million. The figures also show that wages paid by pubs and breweries put £28.5 million back into our local economy and these businesses have invested around £3 million in more facilities and services.

Tim has previously proposed that Cumbria County Council support our pubs by providing grants and asking them to support community services like shops, post offices and other community facilities. Currently Essex County Council offers grants to pubs of 50% of any capital investment, up to £5,000.

Tim said: "Our pubs and brewing sector are a real driver of economic growth and activity in the Lakes. I want to pay tribute to all the brewers and publicans in our area who really do make a difference. They create and invest millions of pounds in the local economy and I will keep supporting them in any way I can."

The information from Oxford Economics can be found here: http://www.beerandpubjobs.co.uk/