“The Chancellor’s announcement that she will raise the draught duty discount was a positive step which shows a continued support for breweries and beer in pubs, which contribute greatly to local communities and economies,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee.

“But with broader alcohol duty, business rates, wages, and national insurance contributions all going up, pubs and breweries are going to be worse off overall.

“SIBA also welcomes the government’s consultation on pub market access, which has the potential to improve the ability for small independent breweries to supply local pubs. We look forward to working with the government and our colleagues across the industry to ensure this has a positive outcome which will improve consumer choice.”

The Campaign for Pubs said pubs and other small businesses had hoped for a Budget that would deliver economic growth, something which is driven by small businesses, but instead costs are up and support is down. Publicans now face the stark choice of cutting staff hours and staff numbers, raising prices when customers are already feeling the pinch, or closing the doors altogether.

The slashing of business rates relief means a 140% increase for anyone with rates payable as the rateable values and multipliers have not been touched, only the relief. Given how over-rated many pubs are, this is likely to be an increase in the thousands for most pubs and tens of thousands for the largest pubs. The only really positive measure for pubs and the wider hospitality sector is a long overdue announcement of a reform of the unfair business rates system, but this won’t come into force until 2026-27, so is of no help to publicans and pubs in the current very difficult situation.

The campaign had written to the Chancellor expressing very serious concern on the potential impact on pubs of the rumoured rise in employers’ national insurance contributions, as well as a potential increase in the minimum/national living wage. However, this was ignored.

The campaign is critical that the government has fallen into the trap of its predecessor and listened to lobbyists of the giant brewers and large pubcos and not to the people who actually run pubs (and work very hard doing so). The cut in draught duty relief is worth tens of millions of pounds to big brewers and mass produced cider manufacturers. The duty cuts will hardly be felt by publicans, never mind customers, but will funnel millions to the huge corporates.

“Overall, this is a very disappointing budget for pubs that fails to understand how hard publicans are working to serve their communities and keep pubs running,” said Campaign for Pubs vice-chair Dawn Hopkins.

“Publicans are working people — very hard-working people often on less than minimum wage — and yet the government has failed to recognise that in our hour of need.”

BII licensee of the year, Justine Lorriman (pictured above), owner and free trader at The Royal Dyche, Burnley, said: “I feel the Chancellor’s quote ‘a penny off a pint’ is a compete insult to the hospitality industry. The sector has just been hit with so many increases, and seeing the House cheer when this was announced shows just how out of touch they are.

“As for the reduced business rate relief from 75% to 40%, this will cost many pubs thousands of pounds. The national minimum wage and NI increasing for employers was expected, but not on the scale that it has been increased to.

“It will be a waiting game now to see how much packaged and spirits increase from breweries and wholesalers with the duty increasing on non-draghtt products. Disappointing to say the least!”

Mark Williams, chief executive of Keystone Brewing Group, which includes Purity, Black Sheep, Brew By Numbers, and Brick breweries, said: “Today’s autumn Budget announcement unfortunately misses the mark for the brewing and pub sectors.

“Although we appreciate the small reduction in draught duty, this move falls short of the comprehensive support breweries and pubs need, especially with other alcohol duties rising by 2.7% alongside the ongoing pressures of rising costs, energy prices, and inflation.

“Adding to this strain, the increase in national minimum wage, higher national insurance contributions, and the reduced earnings threshold will cost the hospitality sector an estimated £1bn, forcing many businesses to raise prices for customers and cut back on supplier commitments.

“What’s truly needed is a community-focused tax approach that recognises the essential role pubs play as social and economic hubs. It’s also critical that any business rate reforms slated for 2026 are implemented meaningfully, with the brewing and pub sector currently receiving minimal relief from rates cut to 40%.

“Clear and predictable rates are essential to drive investment and support the high street without arbitrary caps, enabling sustainable growth.”

Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene King, said: “Despite a glimmer of hope on the horizon for business rates reform in 2026, the layering of substantial costs on pubs next year is going to leave businesses with difficult choices around investment, prices, and hiring.

“The importance of the pub and brewing sector, which employs more than one million people and invests £2bn a year in communities across the UK, cannot be underestimated. While a reduction in draught duty is welcome, in reality it is a drop in the ocean compared with the cost impact of lowering the threshold for national insurance contributions and increasing the rate paid by employers.

“I would urge the Chancellor to work with the industry to help reduce the cost of doing business as a matter of urgency, with the possible changes to business rates for hospitality in 2026 needing to happen sooner to end the unfair taxation of the nation’s locals.”

Ed Fowler, commercial real estate partner at law firm Cripps, said: “Business rates have placed an excessive and unfair burden on the retail and hospitality sectors for many years, so the changes announced today are long overdue.

“In its latest manifesto, Labour openly acknowledged that the current system disincentivises investment and creates uncertainty, so the need for far-reaching change is clear. Today’s announcement addressed two significant points of concern for the sectors: an imbalanced business rates burden, and an impending cliff edge as pandemic-era business rate reliefs looked set to end.

“With business rates having the potential to quadruple with the end of reliefs in April 2025, the news that the 75% business rates relief scheme will be continued at a lower of 40% relief (capped at £110,000 per business), may provide some solace. However, concerns undoubtedly remain for many in the sector who will see their bills rise alongside a 1.2% increase to employers’ national insurance.”

He added: “With a longer-term view, the announcement of an overhaul to the current business rate system, in the form of two permanent, lower tax rates for retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses from 2026, comes as much sought-after change.

“It suggests that the Chancellor has listened to calls from those on the ground for a revised multiplier. However, the question is whether this reform will be adequate — and implemented with enough urgency — to alleviate the enormous pressure facing our high streets.”

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She announced that beer duty on draught products only would be cut by 1.7%, or “a penny off a pint”. The duty on all other alcohol products will increase by the rate of inflation.

Other measures announced, which will affect the hospitality and brewing sector, include:

• Another year of business rates relief, although at a rate of 40%, rather than the current 75%
• A full reform of the business rates regime in 2026/27, with lower rates for businesses in retail, hospitality, and leisure
• An increase in employers’ national insurance contributions
• An increase in the national minimum wage by 6.7% to £12.21 from April
• A freeze on fuel duty

The British Institute of Innkeeping says that, with only one in four businesses currently profitable, this additional cost will severely impact huge numbers of pubs across the sector, leaving them facing difficult decisions on whether they will be able to continue trading.

The reform of business rates, in England only, is welcomed, but will not protect pubs in the meantime. And the BII says the increase in employer national insurance contributions and the national minimum wage from April 2025, will have a huge impact on their profitability and threaten their existence.

A recent survey of BII, BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) and UKHospitality members revealed that, without the continued rates relief level, more than half would be forced to reduce their staffing levels, meaning fewer hours for team members, or the loss of jobs altogether. The survey also revealed that over half would cancel any planned investment.

“These are businesses at the heart of their communities, who have invested heavily since the pandemic in their pubs, making them safe, welcoming spaces, open to all,” said Steve Alton, chief executive of the BII.

“As we head towards the festive period, they will continue to ensure their customers can connect with friends, family, and their wider community, but the quieter winter months will be incredibly tough, especially with lower rate relief of 40% on business rates, as well as increased employment costs.

‘Essential community hubs’

“We will continue to make the case for more support, alongside our members taking their challenges directly to their local MPs. This support needs to be an actual reduction in the unfair level of tax our pubs pay with a priority on a specific VAT reduction for pubs, as well as a full and urgent business rate reform, as a recognition of their vital role in connecting communities, providing local employment and supporting a host of other local businesses.

“Without this investment in their futures, we stand to lose many more of these unique and essential community hubs.”

The cut in draught duty has been welcomed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). “This will help pub-goers as well as independent breweries and cider producers, who sell more of their products into pubs, and recognises the principle that drinking in the community setting of the local pub is far preferable to the likes of cheap supermarket alcohol,” said chairman Ash Corbett-Collins.

He welcomed the announcement of a new, lower rate of business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, and also the cap on single bus fares, which will keep getting to the pub affordable.

He added: “Consumers are looking forward to hearing more about the previously announced policy on helping independent breweries get better access to the pub market. If done right, that should mean a better choice of locally-brewed beers at the bar in pubs up and down the country.” 

John Webber, head of business rates at Colliers, said: “The Chancellor’s announcements concerning business rates today were desperately disappointing.

“Despite pre-election promises of business rates reform, nothing of significance was announced. There is to be no consultation, just a discussion document, and the measures announced hardly put a sticking plaster over the gaping wound rather bringing in any fundamental reform.”

Chris Jowsey, chief executive at Admiral Taverns, said: “Whilst we welcome the Chancellor’s announcement to cut draught beer duty for pubs, which we repeatedly campaigned for, and provide a short extension to the small business rates relief at a lower level, we are disappointed with the lack of meaningful incentives to invest and grow.

“Community pubs remain massively overtaxed, and with the wider alcohol duty still increasing, the cost of doing business is only rising for our publicans.”

‘A tsunami of employment costs’

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, described the Budget as “the latest blow for hospitality businesses. Rising taxes, increasing costs and fragile consumer confidence risk bringing growth to a grinding halt.

“In the short-term, the tsunami of employment costs coming in April will ultimately do more to hamper growth than incentivise it. Increases to employer national insurance contributions and wages will make it harder for businesses to support employment and invest in their businesses. Avoiding the business rates cliff-edge next April was critical, and it was important that some relief has been extended.

“However, the reduced level of 40% is another cost that businesses have to deal with. For those small- and medium-sized operators, their rates bills will still go up in April. All of this means that 2025 will be painful for hospitality, with an increased annual tax bill of £3 billion for the sector.

“However, there are reasons for longer-term positivity. I am pleased that the Chancellor is implementing UKHospitality’s recommendation for a permanently lower level of business rates for hospitality. Levelling the playing field in this way recognises the importance of the high street and the role it plays in our communities and economy.”

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Tonia Antoniazzi MP

PubAid’s 2025 awards are organised in association with drinks wholesaler Matthew Clark and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. Publicans can enter their own premises, and MPs can also nominate pubs in their constituencies.

“I was honoured to attend the awards last year and meet so many dedicated publicans to hear about how they support their local communities,” said Tonia Antoniazzi. “I am calling out for all MPs to nominate at least one pub in their constituency for these important awards.”

The awards relaunched last year with more categories and regional winners. This resulted in a record number of entries, with the finalists and winners honoured at an award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

Co-founder of PubAid, Des O’Flanagan, said: “We’re aiming for another successful year. It always humbles me to hear so many amazing entries from pubs who are doing such wonderful work for their communities. I know that the judges found it very inspiring to learn about the great work done in our industry.

“We’re here to celebrate what publicans do to support their local areas and charities in whatever way they can. It’s not about the amount of money that people raise or running the most sport teams, it’s about the creative ways that landlords support and the impact that this has within the community.”

To find out more about the awards and categories, and to enter, click here.

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The pub is being leased from Brakspear. It follows the opening of The Royal and The Coachmakers Arms, both in Wallingford.

The Duke, a 2,600 sq ft pub and restaurant, is undergoing an extensive refurbishment to create 65 covers, an enhanced bar area, dining room, and a small courtyard. The pub will feature Henley Pub Co’s signature style with a rich colour scheme of Naval blues, burgundy, and light blue alongside textures that reflect the history of the pub and the local area.

“The Duke is set to be a real foodie destination, with the menu changing often to reflect the seasons,” said Henley Pub Co founder Henry Day.

“I want people to pop in for a really good pub lunch, dinner, or Sunday roast with friends and family, or for a quick pint or leisurely glass of wine in the bar, and feel like the pub has always been part of Henley life.”

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Members of Chesterfield Pubwatch celebrate their award win

The award, judged by members of the National Pubwatch Committee, recognises the work of local Pubwatch schemes and their efforts to provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff. Dalston and Worthing Pubwatches were highly commended.

“We would like to thank National Pubwatch for recognising the many years of partnership with us,” said Roger Butler, chair pf Chesterfield Pubwatch.

“With help from them, the local police force, the borough council, and licensees, we are confident that Chesterfield is a safer place to socialise and enjoy the many facilities on offer.”

Industry stalwart Mike Clist was given an Award of Merit in recognition of his long service to the pub sector and his work with Best Bar None, BII, and the Licensed Trade Charity.

A Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Award, which recognises those whose actions have either saved life or minimised physical harm in the night-time economy, was also given out on the night. This went to Lindsey Wakeman, general manager at Stonegate Group pub The Registry, in Walsall. She protected a vulnerable female customer and assisted in the apprehension of an alleged offender.

National Pubwatch chairman Steve Baker OBE said: “It has been an honour to celebrate the winners and finalists at this awards event in the House of Lords.

“The National Pubwatch Award is so important in recognising the hard work of local pubwatches, their members and individuals. They are working on the ground to ensure that we have a safe pub and licensed trade for customers and staff. Mike Clist has been in the pub sector for many years and it was a privilege to recognise his hard work and professionalism.”

The awards are sponsored by JD Wetherspoon.

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The Mail on Sunday reports that sources close to the chancellor says “she wants to bring the system into the 21st century so publicans have greater flexibility to buy beer from local small breweries to help bring in more footfall, expand choice for drinkers, and support local breweries”.

“Being able to reach people who want local beer is the number one issue facing our independent breweries, who often cannot sell to the local pubs in their community,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee.

“These issues are across the sector, even in so-called ‘free house’ pubs, who are technically free to buy from whoever they choose.

“We know that there is lots of demand for locally produced independent draught beer, alongside more global brands, but consumers often can’t enjoy them in their local pub because the supply is dominated by a few globally owned breweries.

‘Potentially excellent news’

“This is why a government-led review into these issues is an important first step to explore the right solution for the sector, ensuring all breweries have access to sell draught beer and that consumer demand is met.”

He added: “If the government delivers it could be potentially excellent news for beer drinkers, local pubs, and breweries of all sizes at the heart of communities across the land.

“We also hope that the Chancellor will also consider increasing draught beer duty relief to 20% and maintaining the business rate relief to give a real boost to the sector.”

CAMRA chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins, said: “One of the biggest concerns for CAMRA members, and pub-goers in general, is the lack of independent beer on bars across the UK. Global companies have a stranglehold on the UK pub market, which we believe denies consumers choice by reducing access to pubs and bars for independent brewers.

“This absolutely needs to be looked at by the government, but also competition authorities, both in the UK and internationally. That being said, we are clear that the chancellor must use Wednesday’s Budget to reduce duty on draught beer served in pubs and to maintain business rate relief to keep the nation’s locals open and independent brewers viable in the immediate future.”

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Photograph: Unsplash/Darwin Vegher

“As one of the UK’s largest independent family brewers, we not only have a responsibility to help tackle important issues such as drink-driving, but also make it easier for people to make smart drinking choices,” said David Bremner, director of marketing at Robinsons.

“As the no- and low-alcohol category continues to grow, it should make it easier for consumers to cut back on their alcohol consumption, avoid binge-drinking, and drive home safely, while still being able to enjoy socialising with friends and family.

“Wenlock Spring’s campaign carries a very important message to keep everyone safe this Christmas, and it’s one we are delighted to be supporting.”

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Egil Johansen, owner of The Kenton pub, in Hackney

It comes as latest government figures show 50 pubs a month in England and Wales closed their doors for good in the first six months of 2024. In London, 25 pubs closed in the period.

The CityStack scheme encourages punters to visit and discover independent pubs they might not have thought of going to, by providing packs of beer mats offering £100 in savings for food and drinks. There is also a discovery map to help pub lovers create their own bar crawl adventures.

More than 60 independent pubs are already part of the scheme, with more pubs requesting to join each week.

Top concerns identified by independent publicans are:

The top concerns are:

• Soaring beer prices
• Rising property rents
• Business rates hikes
• Pay television sports channels subscription fee hikes
• Mortgage interest rate rises
• Energy bill hikes
• Beer garden smoking ban plans

Independent pub owners are nervously awaiting next week’s Budget, which could see property tax rises and additional business rate hikes announced.

“Our next rent review is in five years, and if it increases by the same amount (around 25%), that will definitely be the end for us,” said Egil Johansen, owner of The Kenton pub, in Hackney. “The massive increase in utility bills has been hard to swallow; that’s why we closed our kitchen in 2022.

“We are also suffering from rising mortgage interest rates and increasing beer prices. Even Sky Sports and TNT Sports are dramatically raising their subscription fees, which means we might have to stop showing football because of that.”

Alison Boutoille (pictured above), founder of CityStack, said: “Our independent pub owner members are extremely concerned about next week’s Budget, particularly about additional business rate hikes and the threat of higher property taxes. 

“The decrease in revenues due to the cost of living crisis, which has led to lower footfall and people budgeting less towards going out, added to soaring bills, has led to a critical challenge for the survival of pubs all over the country. 

“While big chains may be well equipped to weather the current economic situation, it’s much harder for independent businesses to keep themselves afloat, which is why we created this initiative. We urge people to go back to independent pubs before it’s too late.”

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There have been no injuries or harm caused to anybody at the pub. The team at The Smoker did an excellent job of evacuating the building and ensuring everyone’s safety, said Robinsons. The fire started at 5.30pm and blazed well into the night.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to the nine fire crews of Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue services who both attended the fire and worked throughout the night to extinguish the flames,” said William Robinsons, managing director of pubs at Robinsons.

“Alongside the fire crews, The Salvation Army were on site, playing an incredible role in looking after the welfare of the fire crews and others onsite.

“It will take quite some time to fully understand the level of damage that has been done, but we suspect it to be quite severe.”

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Taking pride of place on the bar is Five Points’ own Green Hop ale, created with Cascade and Goldings vaierties picked at Hukins Hops in Kent last month.

There are also a selection of other fresh hop brews from the likes of Verdant, DEYA, and Track.

The Pembury Tavern is at 90 Amhurst Road, Hackney E8 1JH. The Green Hop Festival runs until Sunday evening.

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