Campaigners trying to save city pubs will try to gather national support after a ‘successful’ meeting with a government minister on Monday.

Save St Albans Pubs, who have been campaigning for lower business rates tax for the city’s pubs, met Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick MP, before Anne Main MP pressed the issue in Parliament on Tuesday.

The group told the treasury minister that although the tax reform - which meant all businesses valued under £51,000 paid a lower rate - was well intentioned, it had backfired on the city pubs.

They were asked to galvanise support from larger organisations across the nation for the case to be more impactful, and will speak at the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) AGM tomorrow to try to do so.

Anne Main held a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday entitled ‘Effect of business rates on pubs’, where she echoed their message and said the new business rate formula - implemented in 2018 - would lead to a “cut to staff members, or even worse, close their businesses altogether.”

She added: “The new rate simply provides a cliff edge that penalises successful businesses in areas plagued by high property value. We must devise a system that helps all small business and pubs to thrive, not just the ones with low retail value.”

The campaign group praised the two politicians for appreciating their concerns, and have urged Mr Jenrick to join the publicans for a pint in St Albans.

Vice-chairman Mandy McNeil said: “The meeting was really positive. We felt like we had been heard.

“Thanks to Anne, we now have a seat at the table.”

Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s chief executive, said: “It’s great to see MPs from across the political divide coming together to recognise that pubs are a force for good.

“I’d urge the Government to listen carefully to unified calls from backbenchers and from the pub industry to safeguard the long term future of the Great British Pub.”

The group have now been tasked with gathering information from pubs nationwide to detail the impact of the business rate reform to present to the Treasury.