Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, last week visited the Derby Tup on Sheffield Road as part of The Publican’s Proud of Pubs Week. Mr. Perkins met with the Tenant of ‘the Tup’ pub to champion the role it and many others play in the community, and to highlight the serious concerns of many local landlords and managers who fear dozens more may be forced to close.

The local MP met with Tenant Landlord Brendan McConville to discuss threats to the pub industry badly affected by the recession. Many pubs have closed in Chesterfield and the UK, with Mr. McConville expressing serious concerns about huge supermarket chains having an unfair advantage by selling vast quantities of alcohol at irresponsible prices.

Mr. Perkins said:-

The Derby Tup is an excellent example of a community based pub, a place where local people come for a good pint and a chat. Brendan has highlighted ways in which I can represent the pub industry in both Parliament and the constituency to try to buck the trend of pub closures all over Chesterfield. We need a level playing field that protects the role of the publican society, and reduces the binge drinking associated with alcohol price promotions”.

Brendan McConville, Tenant of the Derby Tup added:

“It was good to welcome Toby to the Derby Tup to chat about the problems we face as pub managers and owners across Chesterfield and the UK. It’s great to know that in difficult times our local MP is listening to our concerns”.