Students from the University of Exeter gathered to support our Cut Cider Tax campaign. Inside the atrium of its impressive new Forum centre, they collected over 260 signatures for our petition calling on a cut in the Cider Duty Escalator, which automatically adds duty of 2% above inflation to a pint of cider.
‘Cutting cider tax will be a great boost to both the local economy in Devon and nationwide,’ says Exeter student Harry Chamberlain. ‘From a student’s perspective it will cut costs for many on a weekly basis, as well as boosting the sales of smaller businesses at a crucial time where many are struggling. It allows people who wish to drink responsibly to support local brands rather than paying for cheaper commercial cider that tends to be associated with irresponsible and problem drinking.’
After the signature collecting, students celebrated a successful action day with a few pints of cider at the Black Horse Inn, a local favourite with students. Local cider brews in Exeter include Green Valley, Old Rosie, Trickys Cider, Crafty Cider, Sheppys, Lymebaye Cider, Jack Rat and Dragon Tears. And, of course, there’s always West Country favourite Thatchers.
Interestingly, the spectacular Wilkinson Eyre Architects designed Forum building, opened in 2012, which hosted our Cut Cider Tax stall, and also houses a new student library, was built without any government funding. The money for the project came from loans, fundraising, and income from joint ventures. Another reason to raise a glass of cider to them!