London pub owner says tax hike could force closure

"James Fitzgerald, landlord of the Thatched House in Hammersmith, said his costs have risen by 22,000 over the past year - with the increase in National Insurance a major factor. He said he had already cut his own wage, reduced staff hours, and trimmed other running costs, and there was no more room to make savings. "If it goes up again, eventually I'll end up doing it for free and then I'll have to pull out. There's no way to survive.""

"According to the British Beer and Pub Association, one pub a day is expected to have closed down over 2025. It warned that without extra government support, up to 2,000 could shut next year. The association's chief executive Emma McClarkin said pubs were "at a tipping point" after last year's Budget added 650m to industry costs. She described last year's penny cut to draught beer duty as "a nice nod" but urged the chancellor to go further next week."

"Mr Fitzgerald said financial constraints meant he would not be putting Christmas lights outside this year. "Our electricity bill is astronomical, and of course with Christmas it jumps - so we've decided to have a lot of sparkle but no lights." He has raised prices, but with customers also feeling the pinch, many have started visiting less, adding further pressure to his business."

James Fitzgerald, landlord of the Thatched House in Hammersmith, faces a 22,000 rise in costs over the past year, with an increase in National Insurance a major factor. He has cut his own wage, reduced staff hours, and trimmed other running costs and says no more savings are possible. The British Beer and Pub Association projects one pub a day could close in 2025 and warns up to 2,000 pubs may shut without extra government support. Industry leaders call for further duty relief and meaningful business rates support after last year's Budget added 650m to industry costs. Rising energy bills have led some publicans to reduce festive lighting and raise prices while customer visits fall. Pubs are described as important community spaces that help combat loneliness.

Read at www.bbc.com