PUB owners have spoken approvingly of Slough Borough Council’s plans to offer £1,000 in annual relief to public houses across the region. The relief is intended to lessen the blow from the re-evaluation of business rates finalised by the Government in April.

The pub industry has been in steep decline in recent years. Pro-pub campaigners, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have said that pubs are closing across the UK at a rate of 21 premises per week.

Pub manager Michael Nester, 54, who runs The Red Cow in Slough, has said the proposal would knock about 10 per cent off his annual rates.

“The three biggest costs in pubs are Sky TV, rates, and rent” he said.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction. A pub is an amazing place for the community.”

To qualify for the council’s relief, the pub must meet the council’s definition of a pub (which specifically excludes establishments such as nightclubs, hotels, and sporting venues) and have a rateable value of under £100,000.

Pubs which are members of corporate chains, such as Weatherspoons, may still claim the relief providing they still meet the criteria above. The scheme is entirely funded by government.

But some pub owners are unconvinced the relief will do much to change the slow decay the industry is facing.

“Society has changed” said Mr Nester. “People have far more leisure options today, like the cinema, or restaurants, or the internet. Like any industry, the pub industry will have to adapt to survive.”

Sarah Morgan, 29, general manager of the Ostrich Inn at Colnbrook said: “It’s better than nothing. Probably not going to cover much, but pubs can’t rely on the Government”.