With an average of one pub a day closing down during 2025 in England and Wales, the owner of a West London pub has accused the Labour government of “not having a brain between them”.
The chancellor’s move responded to publican anger over the decision to reduce pub business rate discounts from 75% to 40% in the November budget.
It remains to be seen exactly what the extra support will look like.
Biddy Mulligan’s is located just a five-minute walk away from Olympia London. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Smyth argues that “there should be no rates at all”, explaining that pubs form “the hub of the community” and therefore should not face additional taxation.
The Irish-born owner took charge of Biddy Mulligan’s in 2011 and emphasises the importance of warm relationships between staff and customers.
He prides his pub on being a place where “people can meet and come together after a hard day’s work”, particularly given the rise of technology and social media.
Smyth is desperate for more businessman to play a role in government. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Smyth fears, however, that independent pubs like his will “eventually all die out” as hikes in taxes and national insurance rates place pressure on smaller businesses.
Leading pub chains such as Greene King are able to cope with higher costs, investing £6 million into their pubs during 2025, but Smyth insists that free houses are a must.
“You’ve been to a chain pub, they don’t even look you in the eye, they don’t say hello, it’s just a money factory.”
Smyth’s pub is open seven days a week and boasts a barbecue and outside seating. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Following the decision to scale back business rate discounts in the budget, a campaign was launched that banned Labour MPs from over 1000 pubs across the UK.
Smyth highlights the limited contact he has been able to have with senior government officials – “the local MPs have very little power, it’s the ministers really but they just don’t seem to be in touch”.
Labour announced in 2022 that they planned to “scrap business rates” if elected (CREDIT: AP)
He explains that “things are getting harder and harder all the time”. Over 500 pubs are expected to shut down this year across England and Wales according to the trade body UK Hospitality.
Headline‘None of this government have ever had a business in their life’ – London pub owner fears closure amidst rising costs
Short HeadlineLondon pub owner berates 'brainless' government over business rates
StandfirstThe concerns come following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decision to slash business rate discounts in last year's budget.
With an average of one pub a day closing down during 2025 in England and Wales, the owner of a West London pub has accused the Labour government of “not having a brain between them”.
The chancellor’s move responded to publican anger over the decision to reduce pub business rate discounts from 75% to 40% in the November budget.
It remains to be seen exactly what the extra support will look like.
Biddy Mulligan’s is located just a five-minute walk away from Olympia London. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Smyth argues that “there should be no rates at all”, explaining that pubs form “the hub of the community” and therefore should not face additional taxation.
The Irish-born owner took charge of Biddy Mulligan’s in 2011 and emphasises the importance of warm relationships between staff and customers.
He prides his pub on being a place where “people can meet and come together after a hard day’s work”, particularly given the rise of technology and social media.
Smyth is desperate for more businessman to play a role in government. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Smyth fears, however, that independent pubs like his will “eventually all die out” as hikes in taxes and national insurance rates place pressure on smaller businesses.
Leading pub chains such as Greene King are able to cope with higher costs, investing £6 million into their pubs during 2025, but Smyth insists that free houses are a must.
“You’ve been to a chain pub, they don’t even look you in the eye, they don’t say hello, it’s just a money factory.”
Smyth’s pub is open seven days a week and boasts a barbecue and outside seating. (Photo by William Farquharson)
Following the decision to scale back business rate discounts in the budget, a campaign was launched that banned Labour MPs from over 1000 pubs across the UK.
Smyth highlights the limited contact he has been able to have with senior government officials – “the local MPs have very little power, it’s the ministers really but they just don’t seem to be in touch”.
Labour announced in 2022 that they planned to “scrap business rates” if elected (CREDIT: AP)
He explains that “things are getting harder and harder all the time”. Over 500 pubs are expected to shut down this year across England and Wales according to the trade body UK Hospitality.
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