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The Labour party has been quick to rule out any plans to change opening hours for pubs after the comment by public health minister Andrew Gwynne. However, this has done little to reassure pub landlords across south Essex who fear the impact of any changes would be huge in the wake of proposals to ban smoking in beer gardens. Steve Haslam, landlord of the Bread and Cheese pub in Benfleet said: “If that’s the truth, then the government are hell bent on closing many pubs and taking away many livelihoods.

“It’s a terrible shame on the back of the announcement that they would be banning smoking in pub gardens. If you think of what the hospitality industry has been through with the pandemic and the cost of living and energy crisis, I think this may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back”. The team at the Gun Pub, in Pitsea, echoed Mr Haslam’s perception of a government that is hostile towards small businesses.



Landlady Lynne Mohseni said: “It’s a no from me, it’s the wrong decision to make. Everybody who is judging pubs needs to look at the bigger picture. People won’t bother going to pubs anymore because they will think pubs will shut down.

“Historically, people met to socialise in a pub. It’s a safe space and we are losing that. I think it’s to hit hospitality in general, I don’t think it should just be aimed at pubs.

“It’s another worry for pubs about how we are going to survive, it will be like a nanny state. It’s terrible, concentrate on things that the problems, leave pubs alone.” Following growing concern over the rumoured changes, figures within the Labour Party have been keen to distance themselves from Mr Gwynne’s statements.

Cabinet Office minister, Pat McFadden, has promised to pursue an emergency resolution at his party’s conference to halt any alleged change to venue licensing times. West and Leigh MP, David Burton-Sampson also insisted pubs in the area should not worry. He said: “Pubs do not need to worry about their hours under Labour.

We have no plans to change licensing hours. “Pubs are vital to our way of life and make a massive contribution to the community in Southend. We will do everything we can to support them.

” Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, Richard Holden, said: “I led the campaign to get lower duty for draught beer to help our pubs and clubs. Now Labour seems to be wanting to drive them out of business with new restrictions that could prove to be nail in the coffin for many of our community pubs and clubs.”.

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