25/01/2026
Survived recession
Survived COVID
Survived energy hikes
Now facing NEW HUGE rate hikes....
We took this picture 10 years ago feeling soo excited and exhilarated at the prospect of opening our own business and wouldn’t normally use my social like this but I ask the question below ⬇️
How Is This Sustainable for Local Businesses?
This year, the Fullerton Arms was hit with a 455% increase in our Net Annual Value for rates purposes.
Yes 455%.
This comes after years of rising costs since 2019: COVID, inflation, energy crises, higher wages and higher taxes.
At the same time, the economy isn’t what it once was.
Footfall has declined steadily since 2019, with fewer people coming through our doors each year.
While sales may look higher on paper, that’s only because we’ve had to raise prices just to survive, purely to absorb relentless cost inflation.
To put this into real terms:
• Electricity: £27,600 (2019) → £51,360 today
• Gas: £21,000 (2019) → £47,000 today
• National Insurance & PAYE: up £50,000 in two years
And now on top of all of that a 455% rates revaluation.
This year we’re supposed to be celebrating 10 years in business.
Instead, we’re being asked how we’re supposed to keep going like this.
Because the truth is simple:
no small hospitality business can sustain this.
If this continues, I honestly don’t see how we’re still here in two years’ time.
This isn’t just about one pub.
This is about the future of hospitality and small businesses across Northern Ireland.
Something has to change
A not so excited about the future
Sean & Geraldine
Discover Northern Ireland North Antrim Alliance Cara Hunter Sdlp Mla Timothy Gaston Jim Allister Hospitality Ulster Philip McGuigan MLA Sian Mulholland MLAStephen Nolan
