Budget 2026 - Commentary from CEO of Admiral Taverns, Chris Jowsey

Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns on business rates: "The Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this year on his intention to cut business rates for hospitality venues by 20% was a positive first step but it cannot be the end of the road. Even when this reduction comes into place, many small community pubs across the country will still struggle. To keep local pubs alive and thriving, the government needs to look closely at raising the threshold for small business rate relief. This threshold currently sits at £12,000 and has not been raised in 10 years; had it simply kept pace with inflation over that period, it would stand at £18,000 today. Updating this threshold would be the single greatest help to small pubs. Community pubs play an important role in bringing people together, fostering connection and supporting local economies. They are about far more than simply getting a pint; they provide valuable social spaces at the heart of communities across the country."

Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns on beer duty: "Beer duty in the UK is among the highest in Europe, and this has a direct knock-on effect for pubs and their customers. The average British pub makes just 12p on every pint sold. With costs continuing to rise and many pubs working hard to simply keep their doors open, there is often little choice but to pass the cost on to customers. We are calling on the government to increase the draught discount for pubs to 30% and freeze beer duty. This would give pubs much-needed breathing space and help make meeting for a pint more affordable, which in turn would encourage more people to head down to their local. Pubs play an important role in bringing people together in towns and villages across the UK. They are places to socialise, celebrate life milestones and come together in support of good causes. Supporting pubs means helping keep local communities alive and connected."

Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns on the planning system for pubs: "A simpler planning process would make a real difference for pubs, giving more publicans the confidence to invest in their premises and make improvements that support a sustainable, long-term future. The current system can be laborious and difficult to navigate. Even when pubs are in a financial position to invest, the challenges of securing planning permission can discourage them from pursuing refurbishments and other improvements. We would like to see a review of the current process and ultimately a streamlining of the process to make it easier for pubs to invest in their futures."

Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns on VAT rates: "The UK's VAT rate for hospitality is currently almost double that of many of our European neighbours, adding to the cost pressure pubs have to endure. As an industry, we are calling on the government to reduce the VAT for hospitality to 10%, giving pubs across the country some much-needed breathing space and helping publicans build more sustainable businesses. The inclusion of drink as part of the reduction would be key, and it is important that wet-led pubs are included to avoid an unfair advantage developing if the government reduced the VAT on food but not drink. A lower VAT rate that includes both food and drink would help support publicans, so they can continue to invest in their businesses and serve their locals for many years to come."

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