Independent brewers in Birmingham held talks with two local MPs on Wednesday to outline the pressures facing their sector, from rising operating costs to barriers getting products into retail outlets. The meeting at Attic Brew Co coincided with a government announcement that pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20% business rates cut from April.
Local brewery growth and the plea for relief
Attic Brew Co, which has been operating for eight years and employs around 50 people, hosted the roundtable. Its owner, Sam Back, said the business has expanded substantially since its founding and has continually reinvested to sustain growth and local employment.
"We've grown over tenfold since we started and we've constantly reinvested the whole time. We've been very fortunate to have a lot of local support and our regulars love us,"
Back told those present he expects the brewery to double in size over the next year and a half, underlining the potential for continued local job creation.
MPs on the challenges facing independents
The event brought together the MPs for Birmingham Selly Oak and Birmingham Northfield, Al Carns and Laurence Turner. Carns, who represents a constituency containing four breweries, described the trade as an important part of community life. Turner raised concerns about independent producers struggling to gain shelf space and distribution, suggesting the issue deserves scrutiny by competition authorities.
"It's hard for independent producers to actually get their products in... I think it's well overdue for this matter to be looked at,"
Turner referred to the Competition and Markets Authority, noting it has not examined this specific matter for roughly four decades.
Policy response and local impact
Hours after the Birmingham meeting, the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced the measure cutting business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues by 20% from April. Downing Street said the change would be funded through a review of tax reliefs and estimated the move would cost around £100m a year. No 10 added the average pub would save about £1,100 in tax next year.
Hospitality is a significant employer in the area: more than 200,000 people work in pubs, restaurants and related trades across Birmingham, giving the sector importance beyond its commercial role.
Practical matters for local businesses
Brewers at the meeting sought clearer support on:
- Business rates and tax relief arrangements
- Access to distribution and retail shelves for independent brands
- Costs associated with expansion and employment
The measures announced by government will apply to qualifying pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April, but many independent producers also rely on on-trade sales and wider hospitality recovery to sustain growth.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Attic Brew Co: years trading | 8 years |
| Current employees | ~50 |
| Business growth claimed | Tenfold |
| Projected growth | Double in 18 months |
| National rates cut | 20% from April |
| Estimated annual cost | £100m |
Attendees said the meeting was an opportunity to press for tailored support that recognises the particular needs of independent brewers and the wider hospitality supply chain. For many in Birmingham the sector represents not just an economic activity but a focal point for community life.
As the rates reduction comes into force next spring, local brewers and hospitality venues will be watching closely to see how relief is delivered in practice and whether further measures are proposed to help small producers access retail and distribution channels.
