Category: Business & Economy
Business Rates Plan Triggers Pub Industry Backlash as Wetherspoon Boss Warns of Closures
Posted on Sep 10, 2025 by Lysander Templeton
Pub giants warn that a £1.7bn tax plan will push more venues to close. Wetherspoon’s Tim Martin says higher business rates will deepen an already unfair tax gap with supermarkets. Fuller’s CEO Simon Emeny adds the sector carries too much of the £25bn annual rates burden. Beer sales in pubs have more than halved since 2000, and leaders want a fairer, long-term fix.