'I've tried everything to keep my pub open'
Summary
Jon Dean, who ran The Alma Tavern in Worcester for seven years, has closed the pub due to rising costs and fewer customers. He says high taxes, energy bills, wages, and other expenses have made it impossible to stay open, despite government efforts like cutting business rates for pubs.Key Facts
- Jon Dean closed The Alma Tavern in Worcester after seven years of running the pub.
- He had to lay off 14 or 15 employees because of financial pressures.
- Rising costs include energy bills, taxes, wages, and business rates.
- Customers are spending less, visiting less often because of the cost of living crisis.
- The government has cut business rates by 20% to help pubs and hospitality venues.
- Over 800 businesses, including top UK chefs, have asked the government for a VAT reduction to avoid more closures.
- UKHospitality says the hospitality sector's tax burden has grown too much in recent years.
- Star Pubs owns The Alma Tavern but leases it to an independent operator who decided to close it.
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