Otley’s MP is backing calls for responsible pubs to be offered cheaper business rates.

A report published by the Institute of Public Policy Research last week recommends the Government give 50 per cent business rate relief to pubs that prove themselves to be valuable “community hubs”.

The All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, chaired by Otley resident MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West), has welcomed the suggestion.

Mr Mulholland said: “The Save the Pub Group fully supports the ideas published in the report.

“While we have welcomed moves by the Government to support community pubs, such as the doubling of small business rate relief, it is high time it recognised the significant contribution pubs have made, both socially and financially, to the local community, by introducing further measures to protect well-run community pubs. “Campaign For Real Ale figures, which show that 16 pubs close each week, are deeply concerning and the Government must do more to address this problem.

“Offering business rate relief to responsibly-run community pubs would go some way to protecting the wealth of excellent pubs serving their local communities up and down the country.”