Cadman will be making use of partner company Conwy Brewery’s resources and expertise.

“We’re excited to welcome Anglesey Ales to the group, as we believe they will bring fresh perspectives to our already diverse beverage portfolio,” said James Dinsdale, chief executive of Cadman Capital Group.

“The combination of Anglesey’s distinctive craft style and Conwy’s traditional brewing heritage allows us to serve a wider range of customers across Wales.”

The acquisition aligns with Cadman Capital Group’s vision to expand its market share within the drinks industry.

Kane Upton, general manager at Conwy Brewery, said: “Anglesey Ales will remain true to its roots as a vibrant, local brewery, with the added support of Cadman Capital’s resources to help it grow.”

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“The Chancellor’s announcement that she will raise the draught duty discount was a positive step which shows a continued support for breweries and beer in pubs, which contribute greatly to local communities and economies,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee.

“But with broader alcohol duty, business rates, wages, and national insurance contributions all going up, pubs and breweries are going to be worse off overall.

“SIBA also welcomes the government’s consultation on pub market access, which has the potential to improve the ability for small independent breweries to supply local pubs. We look forward to working with the government and our colleagues across the industry to ensure this has a positive outcome which will improve consumer choice.”

The Campaign for Pubs said pubs and other small businesses had hoped for a Budget that would deliver economic growth, something which is driven by small businesses, but instead costs are up and support is down. Publicans now face the stark choice of cutting staff hours and staff numbers, raising prices when customers are already feeling the pinch, or closing the doors altogether.

The slashing of business rates relief means a 140% increase for anyone with rates payable as the rateable values and multipliers have not been touched, only the relief. Given how over-rated many pubs are, this is likely to be an increase in the thousands for most pubs and tens of thousands for the largest pubs. The only really positive measure for pubs and the wider hospitality sector is a long overdue announcement of a reform of the unfair business rates system, but this won’t come into force until 2026-27, so is of no help to publicans and pubs in the current very difficult situation.

The campaign had written to the Chancellor expressing very serious concern on the potential impact on pubs of the rumoured rise in employers’ national insurance contributions, as well as a potential increase in the minimum/national living wage. However, this was ignored.

The campaign is critical that the government has fallen into the trap of its predecessor and listened to lobbyists of the giant brewers and large pubcos and not to the people who actually run pubs (and work very hard doing so). The cut in draught duty relief is worth tens of millions of pounds to big brewers and mass produced cider manufacturers. The duty cuts will hardly be felt by publicans, never mind customers, but will funnel millions to the huge corporates.

“Overall, this is a very disappointing budget for pubs that fails to understand how hard publicans are working to serve their communities and keep pubs running,” said Campaign for Pubs vice-chair Dawn Hopkins.

“Publicans are working people — very hard-working people often on less than minimum wage — and yet the government has failed to recognise that in our hour of need.”

BII licensee of the year, Justine Lorriman (pictured above), owner and free trader at The Royal Dyche, Burnley, said: “I feel the Chancellor’s quote ‘a penny off a pint’ is a compete insult to the hospitality industry. The sector has just been hit with so many increases, and seeing the House cheer when this was announced shows just how out of touch they are.

“As for the reduced business rate relief from 75% to 40%, this will cost many pubs thousands of pounds. The national minimum wage and NI increasing for employers was expected, but not on the scale that it has been increased to.

“It will be a waiting game now to see how much packaged and spirits increase from breweries and wholesalers with the duty increasing on non-draghtt products. Disappointing to say the least!”

Mark Williams, chief executive of Keystone Brewing Group, which includes Purity, Black Sheep, Brew By Numbers, and Brick breweries, said: “Today’s autumn Budget announcement unfortunately misses the mark for the brewing and pub sectors.

“Although we appreciate the small reduction in draught duty, this move falls short of the comprehensive support breweries and pubs need, especially with other alcohol duties rising by 2.7% alongside the ongoing pressures of rising costs, energy prices, and inflation.

“Adding to this strain, the increase in national minimum wage, higher national insurance contributions, and the reduced earnings threshold will cost the hospitality sector an estimated £1bn, forcing many businesses to raise prices for customers and cut back on supplier commitments.

“What’s truly needed is a community-focused tax approach that recognises the essential role pubs play as social and economic hubs. It’s also critical that any business rate reforms slated for 2026 are implemented meaningfully, with the brewing and pub sector currently receiving minimal relief from rates cut to 40%.

“Clear and predictable rates are essential to drive investment and support the high street without arbitrary caps, enabling sustainable growth.”

Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene King, said: “Despite a glimmer of hope on the horizon for business rates reform in 2026, the layering of substantial costs on pubs next year is going to leave businesses with difficult choices around investment, prices, and hiring.

“The importance of the pub and brewing sector, which employs more than one million people and invests £2bn a year in communities across the UK, cannot be underestimated. While a reduction in draught duty is welcome, in reality it is a drop in the ocean compared with the cost impact of lowering the threshold for national insurance contributions and increasing the rate paid by employers.

“I would urge the Chancellor to work with the industry to help reduce the cost of doing business as a matter of urgency, with the possible changes to business rates for hospitality in 2026 needing to happen sooner to end the unfair taxation of the nation’s locals.”

Ed Fowler, commercial real estate partner at law firm Cripps, said: “Business rates have placed an excessive and unfair burden on the retail and hospitality sectors for many years, so the changes announced today are long overdue.

“In its latest manifesto, Labour openly acknowledged that the current system disincentivises investment and creates uncertainty, so the need for far-reaching change is clear. Today’s announcement addressed two significant points of concern for the sectors: an imbalanced business rates burden, and an impending cliff edge as pandemic-era business rate reliefs looked set to end.

“With business rates having the potential to quadruple with the end of reliefs in April 2025, the news that the 75% business rates relief scheme will be continued at a lower of 40% relief (capped at £110,000 per business), may provide some solace. However, concerns undoubtedly remain for many in the sector who will see their bills rise alongside a 1.2% increase to employers’ national insurance.”

He added: “With a longer-term view, the announcement of an overhaul to the current business rate system, in the form of two permanent, lower tax rates for retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses from 2026, comes as much sought-after change.

“It suggests that the Chancellor has listened to calls from those on the ground for a revised multiplier. However, the question is whether this reform will be adequate — and implemented with enough urgency — to alleviate the enormous pressure facing our high streets.”

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She announced that beer duty on draught products only would be cut by 1.7%, or “a penny off a pint”. The duty on all other alcohol products will increase by the rate of inflation.

Other measures announced, which will affect the hospitality and brewing sector, include:

• Another year of business rates relief, although at a rate of 40%, rather than the current 75%
• A full reform of the business rates regime in 2026/27, with lower rates for businesses in retail, hospitality, and leisure
• An increase in employers’ national insurance contributions
• An increase in the national minimum wage by 6.7% to £12.21 from April
• A freeze on fuel duty

The British Institute of Innkeeping says that, with only one in four businesses currently profitable, this additional cost will severely impact huge numbers of pubs across the sector, leaving them facing difficult decisions on whether they will be able to continue trading.

The reform of business rates, in England only, is welcomed, but will not protect pubs in the meantime. And the BII says the increase in employer national insurance contributions and the national minimum wage from April 2025, will have a huge impact on their profitability and threaten their existence.

A recent survey of BII, BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) and UKHospitality members revealed that, without the continued rates relief level, more than half would be forced to reduce their staffing levels, meaning fewer hours for team members, or the loss of jobs altogether. The survey also revealed that over half would cancel any planned investment.

“These are businesses at the heart of their communities, who have invested heavily since the pandemic in their pubs, making them safe, welcoming spaces, open to all,” said Steve Alton, chief executive of the BII.

“As we head towards the festive period, they will continue to ensure their customers can connect with friends, family, and their wider community, but the quieter winter months will be incredibly tough, especially with lower rate relief of 40% on business rates, as well as increased employment costs.

‘Essential community hubs’

“We will continue to make the case for more support, alongside our members taking their challenges directly to their local MPs. This support needs to be an actual reduction in the unfair level of tax our pubs pay with a priority on a specific VAT reduction for pubs, as well as a full and urgent business rate reform, as a recognition of their vital role in connecting communities, providing local employment and supporting a host of other local businesses.

“Without this investment in their futures, we stand to lose many more of these unique and essential community hubs.”

The cut in draught duty has been welcomed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). “This will help pub-goers as well as independent breweries and cider producers, who sell more of their products into pubs, and recognises the principle that drinking in the community setting of the local pub is far preferable to the likes of cheap supermarket alcohol,” said chairman Ash Corbett-Collins.

He welcomed the announcement of a new, lower rate of business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, and also the cap on single bus fares, which will keep getting to the pub affordable.

He added: “Consumers are looking forward to hearing more about the previously announced policy on helping independent breweries get better access to the pub market. If done right, that should mean a better choice of locally-brewed beers at the bar in pubs up and down the country.” 

John Webber, head of business rates at Colliers, said: “The Chancellor’s announcements concerning business rates today were desperately disappointing.

“Despite pre-election promises of business rates reform, nothing of significance was announced. There is to be no consultation, just a discussion document, and the measures announced hardly put a sticking plaster over the gaping wound rather bringing in any fundamental reform.”

Chris Jowsey, chief executive at Admiral Taverns, said: “Whilst we welcome the Chancellor’s announcement to cut draught beer duty for pubs, which we repeatedly campaigned for, and provide a short extension to the small business rates relief at a lower level, we are disappointed with the lack of meaningful incentives to invest and grow.

“Community pubs remain massively overtaxed, and with the wider alcohol duty still increasing, the cost of doing business is only rising for our publicans.”

‘A tsunami of employment costs’

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, described the Budget as “the latest blow for hospitality businesses. Rising taxes, increasing costs and fragile consumer confidence risk bringing growth to a grinding halt.

“In the short-term, the tsunami of employment costs coming in April will ultimately do more to hamper growth than incentivise it. Increases to employer national insurance contributions and wages will make it harder for businesses to support employment and invest in their businesses. Avoiding the business rates cliff-edge next April was critical, and it was important that some relief has been extended.

“However, the reduced level of 40% is another cost that businesses have to deal with. For those small- and medium-sized operators, their rates bills will still go up in April. All of this means that 2025 will be painful for hospitality, with an increased annual tax bill of £3 billion for the sector.

“However, there are reasons for longer-term positivity. I am pleased that the Chancellor is implementing UKHospitality’s recommendation for a permanently lower level of business rates for hospitality. Levelling the playing field in this way recognises the importance of the high street and the role it plays in our communities and economy.”

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Gipsy Hill will maintain its independence, with day-to-day operations and brewing remaining in the hands of co-founder and managing director Sam McMeekin and his team.

Production will stay at Gipsy Hill’s existing facilities, upholding the brand’s focus on quality, sustainability, and community. The core team will continue to bring fans their favourite brews, including acclaimed session IPA, Hepcat.

“This is an exciting time for us at Gipsy Hill,” said Sam. “This strategic partnership allows us to keep doing what we do best: brewing exceptional beer for our loyal customers.

“Sunrise Alliance Beverages shares our vision for quality, customer service, community, innovation, and sustainability, and this partnership will empower us to continue to thrive and innovate.”

Richard Mather, chief executive of Sunrise Alliance Beverages, added: “We’re very excited to embark on this new partnership. Gipsy Hill is a fantastic business with excellent beers, strong brands, and loyal consumers.

“Our union will enable Gipsy Hill to benefit from our group’s collective resources and operational efficiencies, while retaining its autonomy and character. We look forward to working with Sam and his team to enhance these strengths as a group of independent UK brewers.”

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The agreement is with Sandton Capital Partners alongside Independent Growth Finance (IGF) and will support the Camerons Group’s strategic growth strategy.

Sandton, a London- and New York-based investment fund provider, and IGF, one of the UK’s leading independent lenders, have structured a comprehensive financial package that includes the refinancing of the existing debt and the provision of new working capital. 

Camerons plans to invest in its two business operations: one of the largest independent contract brewers in the UK, and an estate of 44 pubs and bars throughout the UK, which includes their flagship Head of Steam and Urban Country Pub brands. 

The contract brewery side of the business manufactures a range of domestic and international beers and ales for a variety of customers, from smaller growing craft customers to major global brand owners.

The facilities provide an extensive range of services. As well as brewing,there is packaging into keg, cask, can, and bottle, plus the manufacture of water and soft drinks. They have also recently agreed a national distribution listing with ASDA for their Tooth and Claw craft beer brand Jellyfish Nebula.

Camerons Brewery is a family owned and managed business, having been acquired by David Soley in April 2002. David remains chairman of the business, with Chris Soley running the business as the group’s chief executive and John Foots supporting as chief fiance officer.

“Camerons Brewery has a long trading history, with a strong profit and loss, supported by an excellent management team,” said Toby Bundy, investment manager at Sandton. “The team have exciting plans to grow their business and invest in their current pubs, and expand their estate.

“We are delighted to support their ambitions, and look forward to their continued expansion and development. It’s our priority to provide capital solutions to quality UK businesses in order to help them realise their ambitions, and Sandton is pleased to be working with such an established brand in the North East.”

Chris Soley added: “The business has performed well, despite the challenges that hit our industry in recent years. Thanks to the funding from Sandton and IGF, which includes a competitive refinancing and working capital solution, we are now well placed to take the business forward again.

“The teams share our vision and support our investment in the infrastructure and expansion of both sides of the business. Their investment demonstrates confidence in Camerons Brewery and recognises the financial strength of our business and our focused strategy for profitable growth.

“We’re excited for what is ahead, seeking to grow our position as a leading contract brewer and invest into our existing pubs and open new locations in new cities throughout the UK.”

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The Mail on Sunday reports that sources close to the chancellor says “she wants to bring the system into the 21st century so publicans have greater flexibility to buy beer from local small breweries to help bring in more footfall, expand choice for drinkers, and support local breweries”.

“Being able to reach people who want local beer is the number one issue facing our independent breweries, who often cannot sell to the local pubs in their community,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee.

“These issues are across the sector, even in so-called ‘free house’ pubs, who are technically free to buy from whoever they choose.

“We know that there is lots of demand for locally produced independent draught beer, alongside more global brands, but consumers often can’t enjoy them in their local pub because the supply is dominated by a few globally owned breweries.

‘Potentially excellent news’

“This is why a government-led review into these issues is an important first step to explore the right solution for the sector, ensuring all breweries have access to sell draught beer and that consumer demand is met.”

He added: “If the government delivers it could be potentially excellent news for beer drinkers, local pubs, and breweries of all sizes at the heart of communities across the land.

“We also hope that the Chancellor will also consider increasing draught beer duty relief to 20% and maintaining the business rate relief to give a real boost to the sector.”

CAMRA chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins, said: “One of the biggest concerns for CAMRA members, and pub-goers in general, is the lack of independent beer on bars across the UK. Global companies have a stranglehold on the UK pub market, which we believe denies consumers choice by reducing access to pubs and bars for independent brewers.

“This absolutely needs to be looked at by the government, but also competition authorities, both in the UK and internationally. That being said, we are clear that the chancellor must use Wednesday’s Budget to reduce duty on draught beer served in pubs and to maintain business rate relief to keep the nation’s locals open and independent brewers viable in the immediate future.”

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Egil Johansen, owner of The Kenton pub, in Hackney

It comes as latest government figures show 50 pubs a month in England and Wales closed their doors for good in the first six months of 2024. In London, 25 pubs closed in the period.

The CityStack scheme encourages punters to visit and discover independent pubs they might not have thought of going to, by providing packs of beer mats offering £100 in savings for food and drinks. There is also a discovery map to help pub lovers create their own bar crawl adventures.

More than 60 independent pubs are already part of the scheme, with more pubs requesting to join each week.

Top concerns identified by independent publicans are:

The top concerns are:

• Soaring beer prices
• Rising property rents
• Business rates hikes
• Pay television sports channels subscription fee hikes
• Mortgage interest rate rises
• Energy bill hikes
• Beer garden smoking ban plans

Independent pub owners are nervously awaiting next week’s Budget, which could see property tax rises and additional business rate hikes announced.

“Our next rent review is in five years, and if it increases by the same amount (around 25%), that will definitely be the end for us,” said Egil Johansen, owner of The Kenton pub, in Hackney. “The massive increase in utility bills has been hard to swallow; that’s why we closed our kitchen in 2022.

“We are also suffering from rising mortgage interest rates and increasing beer prices. Even Sky Sports and TNT Sports are dramatically raising their subscription fees, which means we might have to stop showing football because of that.”

Alison Boutoille (pictured above), founder of CityStack, said: “Our independent pub owner members are extremely concerned about next week’s Budget, particularly about additional business rate hikes and the threat of higher property taxes. 

“The decrease in revenues due to the cost of living crisis, which has led to lower footfall and people budgeting less towards going out, added to soaring bills, has led to a critical challenge for the survival of pubs all over the country. 

“While big chains may be well equipped to weather the current economic situation, it’s much harder for independent businesses to keep themselves afloat, which is why we created this initiative. We urge people to go back to independent pubs before it’s too late.”

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Over the past few years, our pubs, bars, and taprooms have had a pretty miserable time. The venues that are still open face:

• A reversion to full business rates charges when relief ends in March
• High costs of ingredients and utilities
• Competition from supermarkets and other retailers who can sell beverages cheaper.

Now, Labour needs to balance the books, and no-one’s in any doubt that that’s going to require some tough decisions. And many interest groups will be putting forward their thoughts on where the Chancellor should spend and where she should save.

It is, however, not overplaying the situation to say that our pubs are in crisis.

With a week to go, Beer Today is highlighting the campaigns aimed at the Chancellor, from the consumer and trade organisations. It’s all fuel to hopefully see the best deal possible for the sector come next Wednesday.

The Budget 2024 section on Beer Today is open to more contributions and opinion pieces. Drop me a line at darren@beertoday.co.uk to take part.

Come on, Chancellor — help our pubs and brewers survive and thrive!

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The Indie Beer campaign has been launched by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA). The organisation has identified that the issue it’s addressing isn’t demand for independent beer, it’s getting access to market and ensuring genuine independent beer is being sold to drinkers.

“Support for local independent brewers has never been stronger, and in 2024 we’ve seen independent brewing volumes return to pre-Covid levels,” said SIBA chief executive Andy Slee.

“Between them, independent brewers employ 10,000 people, run over 2,000 pubs, bars, and taprooms, and pay millions in taxes here in the UK. 

“They are a force for good in the local communities they represent, and it’s essential global beer companies are not taking credit for the hard work of true independent brewers.”

New YouGov data finds that 75% of people surveyed believe consumers are being misled when purchasing beer from once independent breweries, such as Beavertown, Camden, and Fullers, which are now owned by global beer giants Heineken, Budweiser, and Asahi respectively.

The research also showed that consumers generally were more likely to think global-owned brands were actually independent, with Beavertown Neck Oil the brand people surveyed were most likely to think was produced by an independent craft brewery.

SIBA’s ‘Indie Beer’ mark will be used on beer pumpclips, cans, and bottle labels to identify beers as being produced by a genuine UK independent brewery. The campaign also includes a new ‘beer checker’ tool via indiebeer.uk which allows people to check who owns the brewery they’re drinking from.

Ash Corbett-Collins, chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “CAMRA has campaigned for more than 50 years for quality cask beer and thriving pubs in every community. This excellent campaign will help pub-goers make more informed choices at the bar, while supporting our much-loved independent breweries. 

“We strongly believe it is vital people know the background to their beer; where it has come from, who has produced it. And this is an incredibly effective way for people to find out more, while giving much-needed support to local businesses and breweries, while protecting our pubs.”

What the brewers say

Paul Jones, Cloudwater Brew Co
“Cloudwater Brew Co is delighted to support SIBA’s Indie Beer campaign. Independent businesses are the lifeblood of thriving local economies. Clearly identifying authentic and independent breweries will help consumers make the choices they want to ensure their money stays in their local area, and continues to fund innovation and to build a stronger future for British beer.”

Simon Webster, Thornbridge Brewery
“We are so pleased to support this great campaign, and it’s a great way of showing just who is actually independent.”

Jo Farn, Attic Beer Co
“As an independent brewery, we’re proud to be a part of SIBA’s Indie Beer Campaign, helping to highlight independent beer businesses across the UK.”

Jonathan Radford, Windsor & Eton Brewery
“It’s great to have a symbol of independence to represent our part of the sector to consumers. With the mix of brands all represented by the same large companies, it’s impossible for consumers to understand what is truly independent and this is a fantastic start to differentiate us.”

Andy Parker, Elusive Brewing
“Indie Beer is a great initiative to help inform consumers which brands are independently owned. With the branding and marketing lines being increasingly blurred to present global brands as artisan products, looking out for the Indie Beer mark will be a simple but effective way to know you’re buying from an independent business.”

Sarah Leigh Webber, Brains Brewery
“Brains is proud to support the Indie Beer campaign, championing independent breweries and beer businesses across the UK. As an independent brewery here in Wales, we believe in the importance of celebrating authentic, local beer.”

Harrie Kelly, Ossett Brewery
“As a proudly independent brewery with deep roots in our community, we’re thrilled to join the Indie Beer campaign. This movement celebrates the craft, creativity, and commitment of brewers like us. Together, we highlight the quality and diversity we bring to the UK beer scene, ensuring the future of authentic, independent beer remains strong and accessible to all.”

David Glenwright, Titanic Brewery
“Now more than ever, consumers are quite rightly keen to know more about where the food and drink they consume comes from. This scheme doesn’t just help to celebrate the many amazing independent brewers crafting excellent beers across the country, it also helps consumers to understand more about the beers on offer, allowing them to make informed decisions that directly support local businesses and economies.”

Ian Fozard, Rooster’s Brewing
“Research shows that most beer drinkers in the UK are unaware that many of the mass-marketed craft beer brands are, in fact, owned by one of the six global brewers. Yet the majority of beer consumers also say that they want to buy beer from genuinely independent local breweries. This hard-hitting campaign is designed to redress the balance and help our local independent breweries fight back. I’m proud to support it.”

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As part of the new agreement, the former matchday shop, in the corner of the Coldblow Lane and Dockers stands, has been transformed into a new pub-style space for fans to enjoy on matchdays.

The Spitfire Bar, named after the Shepherd Neame beers, was open on Saturday ahead of a match against Derby County.

“Building long-term relationships with key partners, and finding new ways to enhance the fan experience at The Den, are two of our key priorities,” said Millwall’s chief commercial officer Luke Wilson.

“Shepherd Neame’s renewed commitment to the club so early on in our partnership, and comprehensive support with providing a brand new space for fans on matchdays, is testament to the strength of the relationship we’ve built in such a short space of time.

“The Spitfire Bar will be a great space for fans to relax and enjoy a beer in on matchdays, while being sheltered from the elements.”

Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame, said: “We are incredibly pleased to announce this extension to our successful partnership with Millwall Football Club, and to unveil the new Spitfire Bar for fans to enjoy.

“The Lions have an incredibly loyal base of supporters, and we look forward to joining them in celebrating the club’s achievements during the coming season.”

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