South West Publicans Urge The Government To Support The Pub Industry

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Publicans across the South West are calling on the government to take positive action and ease mounting financial pressures on pubs ahead of this week’s Budget, warning that the sector is at a critical tipping point.

They say rising costs and increased taxation are threatening the survival of thousands of pubs - many of which are the beating heart of their communities.

Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery, which operates 164 pubs across the region, said:

“Our sector contributes tens of billions to the economy, yet pubs are under increasing pressure from unsustainable tax burdens."

“Business rates are the most pressing issue - relief was cut from 75% to 40% at the last Budget, adding thousands of pounds to annual rates bills. We need meaningful reform that works for businesses, not against them."

“The government must act now to keep a pint of great British beer affordable, protect jobs and ensure pubs remain open for generations to come - they are a vital part of British life.”

The warning comes as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) predicts more than one pub will close every day in 2025 - an estimated 378 closures across England, Wales and Scotland.

Damian and Miranda Knight have run pubs with St Austell Brewery for 12 years and are the current publicans of the Cornubia Inn and the Royal Standard Inn in Hayle, two pubs which form part of St Austell Brewery’s 120+ strong leased and tenanted estate. Despite bouncing back after COVID, Damian says the current financial strain is unprecedented.

“The spring budget changes, with business rate relief decreasing and National Insurance increasing, has been extremely tough. Our sales are up year on year but turning that into profit is the struggle."

“Everywhere we look, costs are rising. At the Cornubia, our live music nights are popular, but hiring a band costs more, karaoke fees have gone up, and our wage bill has soared.”

Adam Holland and Natalie Radford run the Blue Ball Inn in Exeter, another pub in St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted estate. Adam, who has been a publican for 20 years, said:

“We have 33 staff on the payroll, so National Insurance increases have been really challenging."

“We’re not like supermarkets that can raise prices and people will pay because they need essentials. We can’t keep hitting our customers with higher costs. Pubs are the centre of communities, and these are very challenging times.”

St Austell Brewery is backing the BBPA’s Long Live the Local campaign, which is calling on the government to ease financial pressures on pubs, including beer duty, business rates and VAT.

To sign the petition and contact your MP, visit here.

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Linda Andrews - Editorial Assistant, Nuse Online
Dec 18, 2023
2 min read

An increasing need for workers in the catering and hospitality sector in and around Southampton has led a recruitment agency to open a new desk.

The city’s long-established Berry Recruitment branch covers a number of sectors but the demand for certain roles prompted the new direction. Tommy Hunt is running the desk that provides temporary and permanent roles across the catering and hospitality sector. With Christmas approaching hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants will be looking for people to work over the festive season. Tommy commented:

“The demand has been growing for these types of candidates and with our new app it was an area we were keen to get into. The permanent roles are of the management type - general and duty managers – and the temporary positions are things such as kitchen [porters, bar and waiting staff and assistant chefs."

“Already we have a number of clients from Southampton and the wider conurbation which are gearing up for Christmas and New Year. What has made this new desk work so well is the Berry Recruitment app which clients and candidates can use."

“It makes finding work and getting hired extremely simple and puts power in the hands of the workers.

“The app and the branch working together has made entering the catering and hospitality sector so successful. With Christmas approaching all outlets will be looking for staff, and there will be one-off events that require all manner of staff.”

Max Perceau, who manages the branch, said:

“Our traditional areas are construction, driving, hospitality, industrial, warehouse, office and professional."

“Adding catering and hospitality made sense because there is a high demand for these roles. Providing the workers saves clients a great deal of time and stress, enabling them to run their business or their event. And our candidates know that we will be able to offer jobs that are relevant to their experience and skills.”

Berry Recruitment is part of Berry Recruitment Group that works from around 40 branches in England and Wales and includes the Wild Recruitment brand that has a big branch in Portsmouth.

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South West Publicans Urge The Government To Support The Pub Industry

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