'THERE WILL BE CUTS OR ELSE WE WILL GO BUST'

PUB boss Phil Thorley is dreading cuts this autumn having used fewer parttimers in a thirst-inducing hot summer.

- Giles Sheldrick

The hospitality veteran heads Thorley Taverns, a family firm with 18 venues in east Kent and 400 staff.

He says keeping the Broadstairs-based business afloat is more difficult now than at any stage in his 40 years in the industry and blames Labour's devastating tax raids.

Mr Thorley, 62, said: "Our teams work very hard, we enjoy what we do, and live in a lovely part of the world.