Pubs face ruin because Labour simply does not understand business

Whether it’s your after work favourite or your home local – whether you drink or not – everyone has a favourite pub. But the sector is facing a crisis – and we know whose fault it is. We also know the challenges facing British pubs reflect a bigger problem in the relationship between this government and the private sector.

January is traditionally a tough time for pubs and hospitality after an indulgent December but this year the New Year blues came with an extra slap in the face after the government launched a revaluation of bricks and mortar businesses that in many cases has led to a dramatic spike in tax bills via business rates.

Pubs are facing demands for thousands of pounds in additional business rate taxes – some are seeing the tax double, and it’s not unusual under the new system for the bill to rise from £50,000 to over £100,000. That’s exactly what’s happening to chef and pub owner Tom Kerridge, now a leading voice in the fight to save pubs. It would perhaps be churlish to point out that Mr Kerridge was among the handful of business leaders to endorse Labour before the last election.

Of course this new business rates regime comes on top of a mass of new taxes and cost increases that hit pubs hard, ever since the........

© City A.M.

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