Posted on November 25, 2011 by Phillip Lee

The Great British Pub is part of the community, and I strongly support the unique role of local pubs in Bracknell constituency. Last week I had the chance to be pulling pints at the Wellington Pub in Sandhurst. This is part of me supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group’s “MPs Behind the Bar” campaign. Earlier this summer I have also taken a “shift” at the Golden Retriever Pub in Bracknell.

My shifts started at 6.30 p.m. Both of my visits proved to be fantastic opportunities to meet and talk to the regulars and catch up on issues through Bracknell constituency. At the Golden Retriever I had a lesson in pulling the perfect pint from landlord, Paul Moore, and spent time serving customers calling in for an end of the week relaxing drink, keeping up the tradition of generations who have used their local pub as an informal meeting place. Pubs like the Golden Retriever now present an ideal setting for all the family. Last week, I was warmly received by landlady, Debbie, at the wellington Pub in Sandhurst where I enjoyed being part of the Sandhurst local community. I also got the chance to see and experience how hard local publicans and their staff have to work.

As a result of my engagements in local pubs, I am pleased to enthusiastically support the Government’s review as part of the Great British pub movement which will boost the number of local pubs. The pub is a great place to meet locals and I will make sure that pubs will continue to thrive at the heart of every community. The Golden Retriever in Bracknell and the Wellington Arms in Sandhurst are both great examples of how pubs are all about being part of the community.

The current chairman of the All Party Parliamentary group, Andrew Griffiths, has persuaded MPs from all parties to work as bar tenders for a shift in order to promote understanding of the issues the on trade currently faces. Although, it is clear that tackling unnecessary and burdensome red tape, or bureaucracy, must be a priority for the Government, but the Great British pub is at the heart of our social values and I will do my best to ensure it remains the case in our constituency. British beer is something we should be proud of. We should do more to celebrate the best British products and boost Britain’s trade. Pubs are hubs of community life, as important to the local social scene as they are to the local economy here in the Bracknell constituency.

(Published in the Bracknell News, November 2011)