CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride is looking forward to dropping into a Belstone pub not only to enjoy raising a glass but also to highlight a national campaign to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector.

He will be at the Tors on Friday, October 28, at the invitation of landlord Tony Cooper from 6.30pm to 7.30pm — his visit will coincide with British Pub Week.

The MP is urging the Government to reduce the VAT rate on hotel bedrooms from 20% to a level similar to Germany, France and Ireland, which have rates around 7%.

Organisers of the Belstone pub visit say it will give local people and, especially, other local publicans the opportunity to express their views, stress the positive impact pubs play in their local community and promote the VAT reduction campaign.

In a Westminster debate last week Mr Stride argued the high rate was harming business and making regions like Devon uncompetitive.

A recent report by accountants Deloitte indicated that if the VAT rate on hotel bedrooms was reduced from 20% to 5%, there would be an immediate cost of about £1.2-billion in the short term, but over the period of a Parliament, there would be a net benefit of £2.4-billion to the UK economy.

Across the local area, region and UK the increasing closure of pubs is a cause for concern, particularly in holiday areas and where the local pub has been the hub of community and, prior to legislation, provided a valued proportion of regular entertainment.

Mr Stride argues that the 20% VAT charge is 'handicapping' UK tourism destinations, such as Devon, due to higher charges imposed on guests compared with other European countries.