A Crewe licensee decided to take the fate of the area's pub trade into her own hands by organising an open forum where members of the pub industry aired their views to local MP Edward Timpson.

The forum was organised and hosted by Marston's licensee Laura Condliffe, who runs the White Lion.

Laura organised the forum at her pub in Barthomley in an effort to alert Conservative MP Mr Timpson to the fact responsible community pubs like the White Lion were in danger of dying out due government red tape and tax hikes.

Laura said that action needed to be taken in order to save her pub - and thousands of others across the country.

Laura said: "Speaking face to face with our local MP really helped us to get the message across. The forum was very positive, it is clear that Edward shares our values and will help support the community pub. If just one outlet in each constituency gets their local MP on board in a similar way we can really bring widespread support and awareness for our cause. These are trying times for any publican, but if we do nothing about it, who are we to complain?"

The discussion was heavily focussed on what can be done to ease the pressure on responsible publicans, who are finding their businesses being penalised through taxation and red tape.

Mr Timpson, who told the forum he voted against the duty increase in the Chancellor's budget last month, said: "We would be doing a disservice to the public if we allow community pubs to continue to decline. Not only through job loss, but it would have a devastating effect on the culture and heritage of this country, there is a lot at stake."

The meeting represented a landmark in the struggle to keep the pub industry afloat. Laura said that although she may have only convinced a single MP that something more needs to be done to save the Great British pub - she hopes other licensees across the country will follow her lead.

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