29/10/2026
Dear Government, from your local publican…
Well, what a fantastic Budget for hospitality. 👏
Honestly, we're overwhelmed by the support. So overwhelmed, in fact, that we're struggling to find it.
Let's have a little look at what we've been treated to, shall we?
Minimum wage increasing by 3.9% – Brilliant! And before anyone gets the wrong idea, our staff absolutely deserve a decent wage. They work incredibly hard, and I'd love nothing more than to pay them all considerably more. But unfortunately, the government seems to have forgotten that someone has to actually FIND that extra money.
Alcohol duty increasing again – Lovely. Because apparently the best way to encourage people back into pubs is to make drinking in them more expensive.
£10 million in relief for small brewers and c***r makers! – Wonderful news for producers, genuinely. But perhaps someone could explain how we're supposed to keep selling their products if the pubs they're supplying can't afford to stay open?
Hospitality VAT reduction? – Oh, don't be silly. Only 400,000+ people signed a petition asking for that. Clearly not enough to warrant a conversation.
Business rates support? – Some welcome changes, absolutely. But when your bills, wages, suppliers, insurance, energy and pretty much everything else keep increasing, a little relief in one area doesn't magically fix the other ten.
And the best part?
We're still expected to keep our prices affordable, pay our staff more, absorb increasing costs, provide excellent service, support local suppliers, raise money for charity, host community events and somehow turn a profit.
Of course! Why didn't we think of that? 🙃
Here's the thing.
We took on our lovely pubs because we genuinely love what pubs represent. They're not just somewhere to buy a pint.
They're where people make friends, celebrate birthdays, raise money for charity, watch sport together, meet their neighbours and sometimes just find someone to talk to when they've had a rubbish day.
We put on events, support local clubs, employ local people and try our absolute hardest to give the area somewhere worth coming out for.
But behind every independent pub is someone worrying about the next electricity bill, the next supplier increase, whether they've got enough staff, whether they've got too many staff, and whether they'll actually have anything left after paying everyone else.
And somehow, we're supposed to do all of that with a smile while being told the government is supporting hospitality.
We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for a fighting chance.
Because eventually, there won't be any more costs left to absorb.
There won't be any more hours to cut.
There won't be any more corners to squeeze.
And when another independent pub closes its doors, we'll all hear the same thing:
“It's such a shame. It was a lovely little pub.”
Well, lovely little pubs don't survive on compliments, unfortunately.
So here's my slightly desperate plea.
To the government: Please stop using pubs as photo opportunities and start giving them a genuine chance of survival.
To our customers: Please keep supporting your locals. Whether it's a pint, a meal, coming to an event or simply recommending us to a friend, it really does make a difference.
And to every other independent pub owner currently staring at today's Budget wondering what on earth they're supposed to do next…
I'll raise a glass to you.
Although, given the alcohol duty increase, I might have to charge myself extra for it
Much love, from one and many very tired (but still fighting) pub owner. ❤️
