Renegade Brewery tells MP of barriers small firms face

Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, visited Renegade Brewery to see its community contributions and understand the challenges it faces.

Operating since 1995 in Yattendon, Renegade moved to a 36-barrel brewery in 2017 and employs more than 60 people from the surrounding community.

Martin Kelly, Renegade's managing director, said: "It was fantastic to have Olivia visit us and to have her understand some of the issues that we face within the British brewing industry.

"We raised with her, and will continue to raise through her to Parliament, issues in the areas we feel strongly about including sustainability, local sourcing of ingredients, and access to markets all of which, as a small independent brewer, we face as barriers."

Olivia Bailey MP visited Renegade Brewery (Image: Beer and Pub Association)

The British Beer and Pub Association, which helped organise the visit, praised the brewery's role in the community.

A spokesperson said: "The beer and pub sector is committed to serving communities, creating jobs and providing critical economic growth across the country, and Renegade Brewery is a prime example of the crucial role they play.

"It is fantastic that Olivia Bailey MP had the chance to visit the brewery today, sample their beer and hear about the great work it does.

"Investing in the beer and pub sector is an investment in communities."

The association is calling on the UK Government to cut beer duty, reform business rates and maintain the 75 per cent business rates relief it calls 'vital.'