Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP attended a special reception at the House of Commons last week to celebrate the significant role pubs and independent family breweries play in communities across the UK.
Organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group in partnership with the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), the event highlighted the dedication of family-owned breweries to local communities, heritage, and quality brewing.
During the evening, Julian met with Simon Theakston of Theakston Brewery and Rick Bailey of Thwaites Brewery, discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by family breweries.
Commenting, Julian said: “It was fantastic to celebrate the vital role pubs and family breweries play across our communities. These companies are more than just businesses - they are the heart of our towns and villages, offering jobs, community space, and preserving our heritage. I will continue to use my role as MP for Skipton and Ripon to speak up for these community assets.”
The IFBB, with over 5,000 years of combined brewing experience among its members, champions the preservation of iconic beer brands and supports the resilience of local pubs.
