Bar bars Exeter MP

Steve Race banned from The Stand Off

A pub in Exeter has banned the city's MP from drinking there.

The Stand Off, which is on Longbrook Street, said there was a lack of support from the government towards the hospitality industry.

On Wednesday, a support package was announced which means pubs will get a 15 per cent discount on their business rates next year, with the amount they pay frozen for two years after that.

It's not just Steve Race who's affected - the ban has also been extended to all other Labour MPs as well as Labour councillors.

In a social media post on Thursday, the bar said: We at The Stand Off fully support the current sentiment of the whole of the hospitality industry from the lack of support our government is giving our industry!

"So until further notice Steve Race MP (and any other labour MP or councillor) is BARRED from our Pub!

"A pub shouldn’t be a political place and everyone is welcome, however the government aren’t making it easy for us to stay quiet and neutral at this current time!"

When asked about being banned, Steve Race said “I’ve been to visit several landlords in Exeter over the past few weeks to talk about business rates. Based on those conversations, I went back to the Treasury and asked them to look again at pubs, small music venues and the wider hospitality industry.

"I’m pleased that they have listened to the concerns of myself and my colleagues and the sector, to give more support to pubs and music venues.

“The Covid-era discounts are phased out in a way that caps the rises, with £4.3bn of taxpayer support. From April, every pub and grassroots music venue will get an additional 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at the Budget, and then bills will be frozen for a further two years. Three-quarters of pubs will see bills flat or falling from April, and as a sector, pubs will pay 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do right now.

“I’m also pleased we’re making it easier for pubs to do business - letting pubs open later for key match days in the World Cup, exploring further planning flexibilities, and more than doubling the Hospitality Support Fund to help over 1000 pubs provide extra services for local communities.

“It’s a shame I won’t be able to pop-in for a pint and a chat at The Stand Off, but I’m proud of all our pubs, breweries and cider mills and will continue to fight for their success.”