Stuart Anderson MP Launches “Best Pub in South Shropshire” Competition
Complete the survey here: www.stuartanderson.org.uk/best-pub
Stuart Anderson MP has called on residents across South Shropshire to support local pubs facing rising costs and tax pressures by taking part in his friendly Best Pub in South Shropshire Competition.
- Stuart has launched a Best Pub in South Shropshire Competition.
- Residents are invited to nominate their favourite pub.
- South Shropshire is home to 166 pubs and 4 breweries that support over 2,040 jobs.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“In South Shropshire, our pubs and hospitality businesses are at the beating heart of our local communities - bringing people together, supporting jobs, and keeping our towns and villages thriving. The local pub is a staple of community life in rural areas like ours. However, they face increasing challenges under this government from rising energy bills, tax hikes, and increased employment costs. My friendly Best Pubs Competition hopes to celebrate the very best of our local pubs in South Shropshire and crown a worthy winner. I hope to encourage everyone to show their support for their local pub this summer and beyond.”
Stuart Anderson MP has launched a “Best Pub in South Shropshire” competition to celebrate the pubs that bring communities together, as local venues face mounting pressure from energy bills, tax rises, and higher employment costs.
Stuart has said that the competition is about showing support for local pubs that anchor rural communities, provide jobs, and champion local produce and brewers.
As part of Stuart’s competition, residents in South Shropshire are being invited to nominate their favourite pub and say what makes it special – whether that’s the community atmosphere, beer garden, quality of food and drink, staff, inside space, or support for local produce. The winner will be crowned “Best Pub in South Shropshire” after the summer survey closes.
Hospitality is the UK’s third-largest employer and accounts for 7% of GDP. The sector is largely made up of SMEs and supports 3.5 million jobs, while contributing £93 billion to the UK economy each year.
South Shropshire is home to 166 pubs and 4 breweries that support more than 2,040 jobs, generate £39 million in tax receipts, and contribute £63 million to the local economy.
In Parliament, Stuart strongly opposed the government’s decision to cut business rates relief for hospitality from 75% to 40% in 2025, which added around £3,000 to the bill for the average pub.
Nationally, almost 500 pubs and bars closed in the first ten months of 2025 – the highest figure in over 20 years – taking the total number of pubs below 39,000 for the first time.
Around 2 pubs closed each day in the first three months of 2026, a 26% jump on the same period last year. The British Beer and Pub Association has warned that this equates to the loss of around 2,400 jobs. Meanwhile, 1,400 restaurants closed over the last year. This represents more than two every single day. In the West Midlands, 11 pubs closed in the first quarter of 2026.
How to take part:
Complete the survey here:
www.stuartanderson.org.uk/best-pub
Residents can complete Stuart’s short survey and answer:
- What is the best pub in South Shropshire?
- What makes this pub special? Options include: Community atmosphere, Beer garden, Quality/range of drinks, Quality/range of food, The staff, Inside space, Local produce champion, Other.
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
