Robert Sturdy

16 October 2009

Letter to The Editor, East Anglian Daily Times:

Dear Sir

I would like to commend Zoe and Shane Murphy for reopening their second pub in Suffolk in the last three months. (EADT 15 October). This is an incredible achievement, especially during this economic downturn and at a time when The British Beer and Pub Association reports that a record 52 pubs are closing every week in Britain leading to the loss of 24,000 jobs in the past year.

As chairman of the British Beer Club in the European Parliament, I not only want to promote the best of British beer, but recognise the added value our pubs bring to our communities which are fast losing all their amenities.

Socialising over a pint in the local pub is a British tradition that we should endeavour to maintain, particularly in rural areas which may have already lost its post office and has poor transport links to neighbouring towns.

I look forward to dropping by and sharing a pint with them both.

Yours faithfully

Robert Sturdy MEP