The chief executive of Fuller’s has said Nigel Farage’s party is the only political force offering what he described as a credible rescue plan for Britain’s struggling pub sector.
Simon Emeny, who has led the pub chain since 2013, voiced support for Reform UK’s £3billion support package for landlords, calling the proposal a major moment for the industry.
He said: “I was so pleased to finally see a main political party come out with some really positive ideas about what they would do to address what has been probably the best part of 20 years of Government failure towards pubs.
“It was the first time I’d seen a political party go on the front foot about British pubs.”
He highlighted Reform’s five‑point plan, which he said sets the party apart from Labour and the Conservatives.
The proposals include a 10 per cent cut to beer duty from its current level of 49p, alongside a reduction in VAT across the hospitality sector.
Reform said it would halve the standard 20 per cent VAT rate charged to pubs, hotels and restaurants.
The party argues the policy would create “tax equality” between pubs and supermarkets, which do not charge VAT on food sales.
The UK hospitality sector currently faces higher tax levels than some European countries: France charges 10 per cent VAT on restaurant meals, while Spain offers reduced rates across parts of its tourism and hospitality sector.
Most European VAT exemptions do not apply to alcohol.
Fuller’s chief backs Reform UK’s £3billion support package for the hospitality sector
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Reform said it would fund the £3billion package by reinstating the two‑child benefits cap.
Mr Emeny criticised the Chancellor’s handling of business rates, saying: “It’s pretty terrible that they were unaware of what they were doing with business rates in the Budget.
“What they’ve done is announce a sensible short‑term sticking plaster, and yet again, they’ve kicked the reform of business rates down the line.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 15 per cent business rates discount for pubs for 12 months, followed by a two‑year freeze, after previous Budget measures led to higher bills for some businesses.
He said each Fuller’s pub pays around £600,000 a year in taxes
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Mr Emeny said: “The industry can’t afford to wait for three-and-a-half years for something positive to happen to pubs.
“I don’t trust Labour to deliver on the reform of business rates. The Conservatives failed to do that, and to date, Labour are failing to do that.”
He said each Fuller’s pub pays around £600,000 a year in taxes, with costs rising sharply over the past decade.
“National living wage for a 21‑year‑old has doubled in 10 years,” he said. “Energy costs have gone up 200 per cent in 10 years. Business rates have gone up 40 per cent in 10 years.”
Mr Emeny said pubs now need higher customer numbers to remain viable.
He said: “There’s no doubt that you need a much bigger, busier pub to carry the cost pressures that the sector has now.”
Fuller’s has shifted towards a more premium market position, with around half of its 380 pubs now located inside the M25 in higher‑income areas.
Wetherspoons owner Tim Martin has spoken publicly about tax pressures facing the pub sector
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GB NEWS / GETTYMr Emeny said Reform’s proposals could influence future Government policy. “One doesn’t know at this moment in time, but I think it will have an impact on what Labour do next. It should have an impact.”
He said industry figures including Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, and Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, have spoken publicly about tax pressures facing the sector.
“These are people who care about their businesses,” he said. “The Government would do well to listen to people like us.”
A Government spokesman said ministers had introduced business rates relief and extended opening hours for pubs.
The spokesman added that a planned High Streets Strategy would build on existing policies, alongside corporation tax caps, draught beer duty cuts and six interest rate reductions.