Rutland pubs say they face an uncertain future despite government U-turn
Olive Branch owner says Rutland’s hospitality sector needs bigger changes than business rate relief
The government is set to announce new financial support for pubs, following a backlash over plans to hike business rates.
Ministers are believed to be preparing a package aimed at easing pressure on the sector, with the Treasury expected to unveil details in the coming days.
Labour figures say the move is a sign of "strength and confidence", with Anna Turley, chairwoman of the Labour Party, saying, "This is actually about listening… we're here to represent the people that we live amongst and, if a policy isn't right, we'll step in, we'll sort it out, we'll make sure it works."
Trade bodies and industry insiders are urging ministers to go further, warning that piecemeal responses will not "save our high streets".
Kate Nicholls from UK Hospitality says the whole sector faces steep rises, not just pubs, while the National Pharmacy Association is pushing for similar help for chemists.
Ben Jones, owner of the Olive Branch Pub in Rutland, says he hopes the latest support is enough:
"The reality is what we've all been asking for many years is some kind of reduced tourism VAT that will be much more helpful to the tourism and hospitality industry and would help us to encourage people to come out more. "
"For a long time now, the pub industry have been asking for the government to reconsider the way in which rates are set for pubs."
"If you have an incredibly successful pub trading from a small property, we pay astronomical rates for that hard work that we put in."
The increase in minimum wage has a big impact on us as well."
"We employ twenty-five people, many of those on a minimum wage, they're young staff, and with the increase in the minimum wage has a big impact upon us."
"The increasing costs certainly has a big effect on our staff and our customers. We have reduced our staffing levels, means in effect, we're unable to give the higher level of customer service, which we aspire to."
While the industry tentatively welcomes reports of a U-turn, pub owners and trade associations say long-term reform—such as changes to VAT and business rates—is still needed to keep Rutland pubs and the wider hospitality trade afloat.