Bolton CAMRA branch update

Annual General Meeting

Just a reminder that the branch’s AGM will be held at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday 7 November at the Spinning Mule, Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1JT. Amongst other things, the meeting will be electing the branch officers to serve for the next twelve months. The list of current officers can be found on the branch website here and each of the officers has confirmed that they are willing to continue in their roles. That does not, however, prevent any other member from standing for those roles if they wish. In addition to the areas which are already covered, there are other roles which are vacant and for which nominations would be welcomed.

Like all branches, Bolton’s membership is weighted toward the older end of the spectrum and a Young Members’ Contact could help us to attract more younger people to the branch. I have also mentioned before that we have many clubs in the borough about which we hold very little information so a Clubs Co-ordinator who could gather this information and promote real ale in our clubs would be a boon. Click on the role description links to find out what’s involved. 

Budget

After what seemed like an eternity, the budget has finally happened and it was a mixed bag so far as the hospitality industry is concerned. CAMRA welcomes the one penny per pint cut in draught beer and cider duty, but given the price of a pint, I’m not sure drinkers will notice. A review of the business rates system was promised which, if it is done right, is also welcome, but the reduction in the business rates support from 75% to 40% from next April is bound to have an impact. 

The government also announced its intention to bring in measures to make it easier for small brewers to get their beers on the bar in pubs although how this is to be achieved is not yet clear.

It’s fair to say that the industry itself was not so impressed with the budget, citing concerns about the increases in the living wage and National Insurance having an impact on their costs.

How all this is reflected in the price of a pint and the choice of beer on the bar remains to be seen.

Champion Beer of Britain

Nominations for the Champion Beer of Britain 2026 close on Monday 4 November. Don’t miss your chance to put forward your favourite local or national beers for this prestigious prize. You can vote on the CAMRA website by clicking here.

Local MPs

Last week I had the opportunity to meet Phil Brickell, the recently elected MP for Bolton North East. Over a beer in the Bank Top Brewery Ale House, our current Pub of the Year, we talked about the budget, planning protection for pubs and competition issues. Phil was very sympatheitic to CAMRA’s concerns and is willing to raise them in Parliament on our behalf. I hope to get the chance to speak to our other two MPs soon.

CAMRA Website

The new CAMRA website, currently dubbed ‘the CAMRA Experience’ is now live and feedback on how it is working is welcomed. The site has pubs front and centre, with much more information about the beers available in those pubs. Some changes have been made to the way beer scoring is done and I will let you have more information about this next time. We will also update the guidance on the branch website. In the meantime you can still use the old WhatPub site which will be available for a while.  Beer scoring is a subject I mention frequently, but it is important as it forms the basis of how pubs are chosen for the Good Beer Guide. 

Well, it’s getting to that time of year when a pint in a warm pub or club is a welcome retreat from the colder weather and the darker evenings, so why not pull on your big coat, brave the elements and find out what treats your local has to offer in this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness?

Cheers!

John Mitchell – Chair