‘The fabric of our society’: Northamptonshire landlord backs calls for support for pubs
Latest government cost increases are adding fresh pressures for pub owners
Pubs across the UK are facing another tough year as an inflation‑linked rise in alcohol duty comes into force on 1st February, adding to the pressure already felt by landlords. Luke Bavester – landlord of the Old Red Lion in Kislingbury and The Sheaf in West Haddon – says pubs are part of the story of people’s lives, and rising costs risk damaging places that communities rely on.
Speaking about the impact of increasing rates and why government support is needed, he said: ‘If we had a reduction in VAT that was more in line with everywhere else in Europe, then that would help.’
New modelling from UKHospitality reveals that six hospitality venues could close every day in 2026 due to increasing rates for the hospitality sector.
Bavester expressed that he's aware the government has financial pressures of its own, but says the combination of rising costs is becoming too much for the pub and hospitality sector.
'‘They government are trying. They have bills to pay and mouths to feed – all governments do.
''They've got to get it funds from somewhere. So fair enough. Nobody minds paying their bit. But I think this is just a compounding of all the different things.’'
He added that the issue goes beyond pubs: ‘'Pubs are near and dear to the hearts of England, as they should be, but it's not just pubs – It's all small businesses being negatively affected by this business rates increase. It's all businesses. Every business that has to pay rates will be affected by this and some with bigger increases than others.’'
In last November’s budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced cuts to business rate discounts that had been in place since the pandemic, along with adjustments to rateable values for pub premises.
However this week the chancellor said she is "particularly concerned" about the impact of business rates on pubs, and suggested ''additional support is coming'' for pubs before new rates come into effect in April.
Bavester stressed that while his pubs are still thriving, rising taxes mean growth is difficult. He said:‘We have a massive amount of support and people want to use the pub. The restaurant’s busier than ever and we're growing the business year on year on year, but our profits aren't able to grow with that because they're taxed within an inch of their life.’
He also said the hospitality sector had expected more support from the government this time round. He said:
''We've had a real campaign that's had loads of momentum and they have completely ignored it''
''The reason people are so cross at the moment is because it's just the compounding nature of all the individual things that are levied upon us. It's not the playground that we thought we were going to be playing in.’
Bavester described pubs as ‘'assets of community value'’, not just businesses. He added:‘We're places where relationships are formed and people discuss ideas about the world and meet each other to relieve themselves of the stress of the world or whatever it might be.
''We really are a part of the fabric, especially of the villages. Pubs are the central point of the village where life happens within the walls – that's why I think pubs are so important.’'
MPs from several parties have raised concerns that the alcohol duty rise could push even more pubs to the brink, especially as many are already juggling increasing costs.
The Treasury is understood to be working on a 'support package' that could help pubs with business rates, although nothing has been confirmed as of yet.