04/12/2025
For those customers who may question price increases in pubs & restaurants, maybe this post will give you some understanding. We try so very hard to keep everything affordable but we roll from one blow to another!
THIS POST IS SHARED FROM A FELLOW LANDLORD, BUT WE SHARE THE SENTIMENT WITH HIKES OF £16,750 ACROSS OUR 2 PUBS IN RATEABLE VALUE ALONE.
The Reality We’re Facing in Hospitality
Hello guys, how you doing? Phil here from The Farmer’s Boy.
Not selling anything today — just speaking honestly from my office about something that's hit us like a train.
Last night I got a phone call from a friend in the trade asking if I’d checked my new business rates. So I went online… and nearly fell off my chair.
Our business rates are currently £16,500 a year.
From 1st April, they jump to over £34,000.
That’s a 108% increase — and it wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the budget.
My friend runs two pubs — one is rising above £20k, the other close behind. This isn’t small change. This is crippling.
I’ve already been on BBC Points West this morning with Dave Harvey talking about it — angry, frustrated and genuinely worried. This level of increase will destroy the hospitality industry. We’re already juggling:
🔥 Minimum wage hikes
🔥 National Insurance
🔥 Sky-high utilities — my electricity bill last month was £4,000 (and we cook AND heat with gas!)
🔥 Costs rising across absolutely everything
🔥 And we can’t keep raising prices — because you, the customers, simply can’t absorb any more.
I said this isn’t politics — this is survival now.
One landlord in Gloucester is adding 20–30p a pint just to stay afloat. But that wouldn’t even scratch the surface of what we’re dealing with here.
I honestly believe the industry needs to take a stand. Close the pubs for a day.
If nothing changes, close them for two.
And if they still don’t listen… well, you get the picture.
We love what we do — serving you, welcoming you, creating memories, giving people a lift on tough days. Hospitality means something. But right now many of us are being battered from all sides.
Retail is the same. Small businesses everywhere are drowning.
For anyone doubting the numbers — here’s the proof (as I showed in the video):
From £16,500 → £34,000+ overnight.
Thanks for listening. Thanks for always supporting us.
Head up, stay positive, but my word… it’s getting difficult.
Take care,
Phil
The Farmer Boys Inn
