Colchester MP and avid supporter of the great British pub, Bob Russell, swapped parliament for a shift pulling pints at the Norfolk pub to learn more about the challenges facing the UK brewing and pub industry.

Russell completed a stint as a barman in Colchester’s popular local, situated on North Station Road, to experience first hand life behind the bar and the unique role UK pubs play in society as a place for socialising and building community spirit.

As well as getting to grips with barman basics like pulling a proper pint, changing a barrel and cleaning the pipes, Russell spent time talking to licensee of the Norfolk, Jason Latchford, about the current issues faced by licensees and the industry’s contribution to tourism, employment and the economy.

He explained: “Pubs are under increasing pressure from a tough consumer environment, rising beer duty, increased red tape, supermarket competition and rising costs.

“It is important for politicians, particularly when legislation is being debated, or considered, that they have an understanding of the issues and the potential impact on licensees and their businesses. What better way to gain that understanding than to actually come and work in a pub.”

Russell’s shift at the popular local, leased from pub operator and brewer Greene King, was organised as part of an initiative by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, of which Greene King are members, to develop a deeper understanding amongst parliamentarians of the UK’s pub industry.

Russell is a member of the All-Party Beer Group and also the Pub Group, both of which promote the interests of the industry, employees and consumers with the latter’s emphasise being on the promotion of local public houses such as The Norfolk.

He said: “It was quite an experience. Everyone made me so welcome – on both sides of the bar. I was amazed at how physical the job is, not just being on your feet for so long but also the tasks in the cellar including the steep steps accessed through a hatch round the back. All in all a great experience.

“I know that my time behind the bar will help me in my efforts in Parliament to promote our traditional neighbourhood, community pubs for whom life is increasingly a struggle not just because of the tough financial times we are all in but because of the unfair advantages which the supermarkets have.

“The Government should reduce the alcohol levy and business rates on neighbourhood pubs and increase it for sales in supermarkets. This would also have the welcome addition of helping to reduce binge drinking and the associated costs of anti-social behaviour which we witness in our town centres every weekend.”

Russell’s notional wages from the shift will be donated to the Essex Headway charity.