top of page

South West Publicans Urge The Government To Support The Pub Industry


ree

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.



Most Read

Act Now On Looming Shake-Up Of Tenants’ Rights

Act Now On Looming Shake-Up Of Tenants’ Rights

A senior lawyer at a south coast legal firm has urged landlords and lettings agents to ‘get ahead of what is to come’ as the countdown begins to a major reform of the private rented sector.

Sustainability Chain Takes Centre Stage To Unlock Green Potential

Sustainability Chain Takes Centre Stage To Unlock Green Potential

Dozens of businesses keen to put clean growth and sustainability at the heart of their everyday operations are set to attend a free conference and exhibition in Basingstoke.

Cleanology’s Annual Charity Fundraiser Excels Again

Cleanology’s Annual Charity Fundraiser Excels Again

Over 150 guests enjoyed a memorable evening at The Law Society in the heart of legal London when they raised over £34,000 to help The Hygiene Bank charity.

Categories

  • Writer: Paul Andrews
    Paul Andrews
  • Dec 7, 2023
  • 3 min read

ree

Trinity Business School has announced it will launch a new MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability programme. As the demand for ethical leadership continues to grow, this new programme will give students the understanding and skillset needed to meet the challenges of building a sustainable future for business and society.


The one-year, full-time course will embody Trinity’s commitment to “Transforming Business for Good” by combining cutting-edge insights from business ethics, sustainability, as well as management and organisational science. Participants will be prepared to pursue careers in leadership positions with responsibilities across several areas, such as CSR, corporate sustainability, ESG, business and human rights, and more.


The programme will offer 8 core modules – covering subjects such as Sustainable Corporate Governance, ESG-Reporting and Climate Action – and a dissertation that allows students to work on current challenges of responsible and sustainable business either in the form of an individual research dissertation, or in small groups for a student consulting project with a company, civil society or public sector organisation.


Partnering with organisations within industry and academia, Trinity’s MSc in Responsible Business & Sustainability will afford students the chance to also learn from leading practitioners and academic experts. The programme has a balanced curriculum that covers the core dimensions of responsible business and sustainability, the choice of a research dissertation or collaborative project, and access to expertise within industry and academia beyond Trinity Business School.


Dr Maximilian Schormair, Director of the MSc in Responsible Business & Sustainability at Trinity Business School, says: "The MSc in Responsible Business and Sustainability is the ultimate expression of Trinity Business School’s ‘Transforming Business for Good’ strategy. Through its research-driven and impact-oriented approach, this programme aims to enable future business leaders to drive forward responsible and sustainable business practices."


"We firmly believe that business and society at large are in urgent need of graduates with the necessary skills and expertise to advance the sustainability transformation. We are excited to welcome the global business leaders of the future and empower them to make an impactful career.”


Professor Laurent Muzellec, Dean of Trinity Business School adds: "Today marks a significant milestone for Trinity Business School as we unveil our new MSc in Responsible Business and Sustainability. This innovative programme reflects our commitment to shaping future global business leaders who will champion responsible and sustainable business practices. Our curriculum, informed by industry insights and academic excellence, will enable our students to make a real difference both in society and for the environment."


"Trinity Business School is launching the MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability because we firmly believe that business and society at large are in urgent need of graduates with the necessary skills and expertise to advance the sustainability transformation."


For this programme, Trinity welcome applicants from a variety of academic disciplines. However, those applying to study on MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability without an undergraduate degree in a related subject – such as business, management, engineering natural sciences, political science and humanities – are asked to demonstrate a clear motivation for their interest in business and/or some relevant practical experience.


The first class of the MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability will take place in September 2024, with applications closing for the first cohort closing on 31st July 2024. You can find out more about the MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability here.


Most Read

Act Now On Looming Shake-Up Of Tenants’ Rights

Act Now On Looming Shake-Up Of Tenants’ Rights

A senior lawyer at a south coast legal firm has urged landlords and lettings agents to ‘get ahead of what is to come’ as the countdown begins to a major reform of the private rented sector.

Sustainability Chain Takes Centre Stage To Unlock Green Potential

Sustainability Chain Takes Centre Stage To Unlock Green Potential

Dozens of businesses keen to put clean growth and sustainability at the heart of their everyday operations are set to attend a free conference and exhibition in Basingstoke.

Cleanology’s Annual Charity Fundraiser Excels Again

Cleanology’s Annual Charity Fundraiser Excels Again

Over 150 guests enjoyed a memorable evening at The Law Society in the heart of legal London when they raised over £34,000 to help The Hygiene Bank charity.

Categories

Market Harborough Building Society & Job Centre Join Forces

Market Harborough Building Society & Job Centre Join Forces

Market Harborough Building Society (MHBS) has launched “Thrive! Forward Intensive,” an ambitious programme in partnership with the Market Harborough Job Centre to support local young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Scotland Prepares To Boost Cyber Resilience Week In 2026

Scotland Prepares To Boost Cyber Resilience Week In 2026

Businesses, organisations and community groups across Scotland are being encouraged to host or sign up to an event as part of CyberScotland Week 2026, which will take place from 23 to 28 February 2026.

Leicester College Secures £963,000 Funding From OfS

Leicester College Secures £963,000 Funding From OfS

Leicester College has made a successful bid for funding from the Office for Students (OfS) to support a £1 million capital project. The funding will expand the College to expand its Higher Education (HE) offer and develop additional flexible study modes to attract more students.

Recent Posts

bottom of page