Pub landlord Tony Paget has issued a stark warning for the hospitality industry, saying “more pubs will soon close” as costs continue to rise.
Speaking from the Black Horse, a historic pub in the North West, he revealed that business rate increases and rising expenses are putting enormous pressure on local establishments.
Mr Paget told GB News: “Two pubs down the road have closed, and there are pubs closing around us.
“Some haven’t even opened on Christmas Eve until around 4pm or 5pm. It’s been a little slower than normal probably the slowest we’ve had for about 11 years.
“However, today is extremely good. The atmosphere is great, and a lot of people have come out to celebrate. I think people like to put the problems behind them at Christmas.
“We’ve had to make some changes this year. Normally, we’d hire around six students to help out at this time of year, and we would have taken on another full-time member of staff.
“But with rising costs, including staff wages, we’ve had to make savings wherever we can.
“We can’t keep passing the costs onto the public, because people will only pay so much for a pint.”
Some pubs haven’t opened today until 4pm or 5pm
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GB NEWS
He warned that unless the Government intervenes, more pubs will be forced to shut, adding that the festive trade, while busy, is masking the precarious situation many landlords face.
He explained: “We’re going to work more hours. We’re going to cut back staff. We’re going to make savings wherever we can.
“But ultimately, we have got to pass some of the costs onto his customers.”
GB News Yorkshire and Humber reporter Anna Riley said: “We’ve seen a U-turn from the Government on inheritance tax for farmers.
The changes to business rates in addition to increasing the minimum wage without moving income tax thresholds has dragged hordes of Britons into paying higher taxes
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GETTY
“Are you hoping you see a similar U-turn from the Government on these business rates?”
He explained: “I think Labour need to see sense on this because they are literally driving the nails into the coffin lids on the hospitality industry.
“If they don’t change their minds and reduce the rates we’re going to be paying, they’re going to be closing far more than five a week.”
A number of pub landlords have come out to criticise the Government for increasing business taxes, warning of “dire consequences” if the levies are enforced in the new year.
The changes to business rates in addition to increasing the minimum wage without moving income tax thresholds has dragged hordes of Britons into paying higher taxes.
More than 1.7 million people are set to pay more income tax due to the continued freeze, which will push workers into higher tax bands as wages rise.
Ms Reeves admitted the policy would impact “working people” despite Labour’s previous persistent pledges to protect them, saying she was “asking everyone to make a contribution”.