Glasses are half-empty due to the Budget - landlord

A PUB says it has been “forced” to put up its prices and reduce opening hours - and blames the Budget.

- LAUREN BEAVIS

The Ship Inn at Brimscombe in the Cotswolds says it has “no choice” but to hike prices for food and drink by between 15 and 20 per cent.

It will also reduce staff hours and open for less hours ‘to survive’ - following last week's Budget.

Landlord Wesley Birch has slammed Rachel Reeves’ new fiscal plans as a “war on small businesses”.

Wesley says to manage the Stroud pub's own survival they have had to implement essential ‘sacrifices and changes’.

He says without them the pub would no longer be a viable business and they would face liquidation. He has placed the blame solely on the government's new demands - which include ‘another rise’ in wages and alcohol duty.

Wesley, 41, explains how the pub's business rateable value will increase from £8,000 (April 25-26) to £31,750 (April 2026-27).

He said: “That is nearly a 300 per cent increase!

“The minimum wage for under 18s - that accounted for half our work force - has risen by 24 per cent from April 2025 to 2026.

“NI contribution has also increased by around £11,000 this year.”