Long Live The Local: Why We Must Raise a Glass to Our Pubs

There’s something deeply comforting about a pint pulled expertly at your favourite pub, the warm chatter of friends and strangers alike, and the familiar clink of glasses that signals community, connection, and tradition. 

But our locals – the lifeblood of British social life – are under threat. That’s why the Long Live The Local campaign, led by the British Beer & Pub Association, deserves all our backing.

More Than Just a Pint

Pubs are more than places to drink. They’re venues where communities come together – whether it’s to celebrate, to mourn, to catch up, or simply to sit in comfortable silence with others. For centuries, they’ve stood as a cornerstone of British culture, offering a place to unwind, to debate, to laugh, and to belong.

Yet the pressures facing pubs today are unprecedented. Rising costs, business rates, staffing shortages, and disproportionate beer duty are forcing many to close their doors for good. In fact, thousands have already been lost in recent years – and once a pub is gone, it rarely returns.

What Is Long Live The Local?

Long Live The Local is a grassroots campaign calling on the government to better support Britain’s pubs and breweries. At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful message: pubs matter, and they need fairer treatment, particularly when it comes to beer duty – one of the highest in Europe.

By highlighting the role of pubs in our economy, our communities, and our national identity, the campaign urges policymakers to act now to save what’s left and reinvest in the future of the industry.

The Economic and Cultural Case

Pubs contribute billions to the UK economy and support over 900,000 jobs. For rural communities, they are often one of the last remaining communal spaces. For towns and cities, they’re part of the cultural fabric – from historic inns to new-wave craft beer taprooms.

But while the hospitality sector continues to fight back post-pandemic, many pubs are still just about keeping their heads above water. With beer duty making up a large chunk of their costs, the campaign is pushing for reforms that could help ease this burden and allow publicans to keep doing what they do best.

How You Can Help

If you value your local – and the millions of memories made within its walls – there are plenty of ways to show your support:

Sign the petition at longlivethelocal.pub

Write to your MP urging them to back the campaign https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Support your local pubs with your custom – a quiet Tuesday visit can make a big difference

Spread the word on social media using #LongLiveTheLocal

Even the smallest gesture can help amplify the message: pubs are worth saving.

A Toast to the Future

We shouldn’t have to imagine a Britain without pubs – but that risk becomes more real each day. Whether it’s a city centre boozer or a country village free house, each pub tells a story. They deserve to be protected, celebrated, and passed on to future generations.

So here’s to the places that make us laugh, connect us to one another, and make Britain feel like home. Here’s to the landlords and landladies, the cellar masters, the bar staff, and the brewers. Here’s to community, resilience, and pride.

Long live the pint. Long live the public house. Long Live The Local.