A York pub landlord has told GB News he fears the hospitality industry is being unfairly targeted by the Government.
Paul Gardiner, landlord of The Terrace, said his pub’s rateable value has jumped from £50,000 to £102,000 from April.
Mr Gardiner said it feels “completely unfair” when local pubs are forced to find extra money while larger supermarkets face smaller hikes.
He told Yorkshire and Humber reporter Anna Riley: “There doesn’t seem to be much enthusiasm to keep the pubs going, to be honest. It seems completely unfair.”
“I know everyone’s finding it hard at the moment, but it seems that pubs are being targeted, and they seem an easy target. And that’s the worry.”
Anna asked the publican: “And what about other concerns as well? What about your energy bills?
“We’ve also heard in this Budget that there’s going to be a tourist tax, but how is that going to be implemented?”
“To be honest, with the way things are in the area now, there’s are no proper industries anymore”, he responded.
Paul Gardiner said that pubs have been treated ‘unfairly’
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GB NEWS
“There used to be instruments, shock absorbers, the railworks, chocolate factories. There used to be a job for every child leaving school.
“Now, you look at things, and there’s only hospitality left. That’s the only thing the council has revenue for, so that’s why it’s going to bear this kind of cost.”
She asked: “What would you like to see from the Government?”
He said: “A lot more support. I mean, there is a lot to pay back after Covid and things like this, but there has to be support in the right areas for the right people.
“We’ve contributed for so long and paid a lot of money in taxes each year, and there are people coming into the country at the moment who haven’t contributed at all.”
A change to business rates will see the typical pub hit with an extra £1,400 in bills, as luxury department stores like Selfridges and Harrods enjoy cuts.
Hospitality businesses are also struggling with sluggish customer spending, as shoppers worry about what taxes might come next from the Government.
On top of that, pubs are being squeezed by rising costs for employers’ National Insurance and back-to-back minimum wage hikes, making it ever more expensive to hire bar staff.
A Treasury spokesperson insisted the Government is “protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the Budget’s £4.3billon support package”.
Last week the Government also announced that pubs will most likely be able to bring in extra revenue during the 2026 World Cup, with plans for them to stay open until 1am.
The tournament will take place in North America, across the US, Canada and Mexico.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed to extend opening hours.
Birmingham MP Ms Mahmood said: “Our nations’ pubs are going into extra time.
“This World Cup could be the first in over 60 years with every home nation there.
“If any nation reaches the final stages, we will extend licensing hours.
“The party won’t end before the final whistle is blown. And in a personal capacity, I would like to add, it’s coming home.”