UK’s small brewers call for chancellor to think again on business rates

Independent brewers say pubs are closing at record rates and more than 100 beer producers folded over the past 12 months. Photograph: Alex Segre/Alamy

Brewers have joined calls for the chancellor to reconsider changes to business rates that it says could be “the difference between closure and survival” for pubs.

In an open letter to Rachel Reeves, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates, which represents about 700 beer makers, said it wanted to “express our deep concern at the impact of last week’s business rates decisions on the hospitality sector”.