According to some estimates, we’re losing 50 pubs per month in the UK, adding to over 4,000 closures since 2020. This alarming trend has sparked a wave of social media posts blaming the latest budget and government policies for the struggles facing the hospitality industry, particularly pubs. Many posts paint a bleak picture of impending closures and irreversible damage, with the finger pointed squarely at government decisions. While these policies undeniably impact our industry, I think this narrative misses a far larger and more complex picture.
As someone who has championed the hospitality sector for decades—as an employee, a business owner, and an advocate—I understand just how challenging this industry is. I’ve faced those challenges myself, and I know how hard it is to keep a pub or restaurant thriving, especially as finances tighten. Yet, putting all the blame on government policy overlooks some hard truths and structural issues within the industry itself. Here’s why I think this approach is overly simplistic and ultimately unhelpful.
1. Cultural Shifts Are Changing the Role of Pubs
It’s impossible to talk about the pub industry’s struggles without acknowledging the significant cultural changes reshaping our society. People are socialising differently, with the rise of home delivery, online gatherings, and health-conscious choices all altering how, and where, people spend their time. Pubs once had a unique role as community gathering spaces, but today they face competition not only from restaurants and cafes but also from lifestyle shifts that draw people away from traditional pub settings. Blaming the government for these changes misses the reality that our communities, and the ways we connect within them, have transformed.
2. Reclaiming Our Own Agency
Blaming others for our challenges has a way of stripping us of our own agency. When we say, “It’s the government’s fault,” we risk adopting a mindset that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. The truth is that each business owner has the power to adapt and make decisions based on what’s best for them. Sometimes, that means facing the hard reality that a business may no longer be worth the investment or effort. As a business owner who has closed ventures in the past, I know that these decisions aren’t easy, but they can be wise. By focusing only on what we can’t control, we lose sight of what we can.
3. A Complex Ecosystem Beyond Government Policies
The hospitality industry, and pubs in particular, operate within a complex ecosystem that goes far beyond tax policies and government budgets. Less than half of the pubs in the UK are independently owned. The majority belong to pub companies, large organisations that often lease these venues to individual operators or employ staff to manage them. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing, generous, and caring pub companies that actively invest in their pub owners and support them in meaningful ways, and they truly make a difference.
But not all pub companies operate with this level of care. Some provide little support or investment, leaving pub owners to struggle alone, especially in tough times. These arrangements can sometimes resemble a modern-day feudal system, where passionate, hardworking operators end up working under less-than-fair conditions. When we blame the government for the challenges pubs face, we allow these less supportive pub companies to slip under the radar and avoid accountability. In reality, these dynamics within the pub industry itself also contribute significantly to the difficulties faced by independent operators.
4. Focusing on Solutions, Not Scapegoats
The conversation around the pub crisis needs to evolve. Instead of casting blame solely on the government, we should be looking at practical solutions that consider the whole picture. This means advocating for fairer tax policies and recognising the role of cultural shifts, consumer behaviour, and internal industry practices in shaping the future of pubs. Addressing the influence of pub companies and holding all stakeholders accountable can also help us create a stronger foundation for the industry moving forward.
