'TV and cheap booze' blamed for landlord quitting
Summary
Patrick Hughes quit as landlord of The Royal Mail Cart pub in Spalding after just over a year due to lower customer numbers caused by rising costs, roadworks, and changing habits like drinking at home. Many pubs in Lincolnshire have closed recently, and pub groups are seeking government support to make pubs more affordable and competitive with supermarkets.Key Facts
- Patrick Hughes became landlord of The Royal Mail Cart in August 2025 and quit after about a year.
- He says fewer people visit pubs because they prefer drinking cheap alcohol at home, watching TV, or ordering food deliveries.
- Roadworks outside the pub further hurt customer numbers and sales.
- Pubs in Lincolnshire have seen a big drop, with 27% closing since 2009, and South Holland has lost 53% of its pubs.
- Alcohol sold in supermarkets is generally cheaper than in pubs due to lower taxes and fewer business costs.
- The UK government announced a 20% discount on business rates for pubs and similar venues starting in April 2027.
- Local groups like The Shipmates are trying to save closed pubs by raising money and securing community rights to buy them.
- Industry leaders want the business rate discount made permanent and beer taxes frozen to help pubs survive.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
