Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed a government move to help beleaguered public houses by offering a discount on business rates.

The support package means that pubs – and music venues – will be given a 15% discount on their business rates bills from April, with no increases for two years. The move will be worth £1,650 for the average pub in 2026-27, according to Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson. It will cost the government an estimated £80m in its first year alone, with subsequent years still to be assessed.

The policy change comes as government figures show an estimated 7,000 pubs to have closed since 2010 – a 15% reduction. UK Hospitality has warned that hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the sector are also at risk, calling for the support package to be widened.

Vail Williams partner and head of business rates Adam Barnfield said:

“While any support to help our pubs stay afloat is to be welcomed, this package has been described as a ‘sticking plaster’ which would only delay the pain. I’m somewhat surprised that other hospitality businesses were not included but the government has to draw the line somewhere."

“We also have to ask the question as to whether a 15% discount in business rates will amount to much at a time when landlords are facing increasing financial pressures with higher wages, suppliers’ costs and cautious customer spending hitting profit margins."

“There is also a fine line to tread between increasing the price of a pint to cover costs without driving customers to supermarkets to have a cheaper drink at home."

“Costs are still likely to rise for the vast majority of pubs, meaning this support will have a somewhat limited impact, but we expect fewer landlords will be calling last orders for the final time.”

Vail Williams’ business development executive John Bicknell added that the government’s review into how pubs are valued ahead of the 2029 revaluation would be crucial and he urged that the industry should be widely consulted.

“This spring, the Government will also be consulting on whether there should be a further loosening of planning rules to benefit pubs such as, as has been mentioned, allowing the addition of new guest rooms or main room expansion without needing planning consent."

“Whatever happens, we are convinced that the pub is as integral to British life as fish and chips, the Royal Family and the pastime of queuing, and we must do all we can to safeguard this national institution – as well as other crucial hospitality venues.”