Readers react to Simon Fell asking people to get back in the pub

The campaign was launched in July 2018 to raise awareness of pub closures across the UK and to highlight the fact the country has one of the highest Beer Duty rates in the world. 

The campaign was re-launched in January 2022 and has recently given Mr Fell the title. 

Mr Fell said: "I have been a supporter of the campaign for a while but this is the first time I've been named as a champion.

"Pubs sit at the heart of our communities and I'm keen to support them and make sure that they keep doing what they do best - bringing people together."

Barrow Born said: "I have an idea, DROP THE RIP OFF PRICES." Gheko agreed with this, directly addressing Mr Fell: "Simon son, people can't afford to go for a few pints as easy as they could."

The price of pints is a consistent issue that the readers raised, with the current cost of living crisis and inflation making going to the local watering tap an expensive trip. 

Research consultancy company CGA warned that the price of a pint could hit £9 in some parts of the UK if they keep going up in price. 

Neil Sansom said that Mr Fell: "Need to sort out the cost of energy for businesses. People aren't going to pay £9 a pint due to rising costs."

Notfarwrong agreed, saying: "I wonder how many pubs and other businesses his energy policy will close?" 

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Paul Griffiths also saw the irony of Mr Fell campaigning to lower beer duty despite his party being in government: "Oh the irony…Local campaign launched in July 2018 to highlight the fact the country has one of the highest Beer Duty rates in the world, who sets the beer duty rates?"

Brian McKenna said: "If the energy price goes up in October the pubs will be empty."

Stephen Kelland said: "One of the reasons people spent so much time in the pub was because it was cheaper to drink all night than to heat your house. For a while now it seems that's no longer true."