POOLE MP Robert Syms has backed calls to get the town's pubs trading again.

The Conservative MP has signed up to a nationwide campaign which aims to save British pubs, amid fears many publicans across the country will be forced to call time for good if nothing is done to help.

Sir Robert said pubs should be allowed to sell takeaway drinks soon – and that when they are allowed to fully reopen, schemes such as the substantial meal requirement should be scrapped.

He said: "Poole is incredibly fortunate to have a number of local pubs which are integral to our local community.

"Not only are they big local employers, but they are important social hubs which must be cherished for future generations to enjoy.

"As we continue to successfully roll out the Covid-19 vaccine, focus should move now to how we go about repairing our fragile economy.

"Whilst it has been right to be cautious, it is clear that pubs and the hospitality industry at large, need to be trading again soon."

The campaign, led by the Countryside Alliance, comes after a survey of pub landlords across the nation revealed six in ten believe they will be out of business if lockdown restrictions are not lifted sufficiently until the summer.

If pubs are forced to remain closed into the summer months, the campaign urges the government to provide these struggling businesses with increased financial support to ensure their future survival.

Sir Robert said: "Pubs should be allowed to sell takeaway drinks and when allowed to reopen fully need to do so without unnecessary regulations like the substantial meal requirement.”

The ‘#UnlockInn - Save the Great British Pub campaign’ has five requests:

• Allow pubs to serve alcohol with takeaways as soon as possible.

• Scrap the ‘substantial meal’ requirement, when pubs open again.

• If pubs are forced to remain closed into the summer months, provide these businesses with increased financial support.

• Offer a practical road map for pubs and the hospitality industry at large to help them realistically prepare for when they can resume trading again.

• Extend VAT at five per cent, while ensuring rates are cut by 50 percent for the same length of time.

The survey undertaken by Countryside Alliance also found that landlords felt the substantial meal requirement had failed. The impact was underlined with 57 per cent of them reporting that regulars stopped coming to their pubs when the rule was in place and 82 per cent seeing a reduction in overall footfall.