This Is Why Do pubs have a future?
Jan 28, 2026
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, gives sector-wide analysis on rates, recovery and policy. Simon Wade, a North Yorkshire pub landlord, shares on-the-ground struggles running multiple pubs. They discuss rising costs, how business rates reforms actually hit small pubs, staffing pressures, changing customer habits, and whether policy changes can save local pubs.
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A Landlord’s Cost Crisis
- Simon Wade describes starting as a waiter at 14 and now running multiple pubs in North Yorkshire.
- He details soaring costs, quadrupled rateable values, and the pressure of rising wages and national insurance on his businesses.
Diversify And Improve To Survive
- Simon Wade says pubs must diversify offerings and improve service to survive.
- He plans to raise quality, broaden experiences, and reluctantly pass some costs to customers if needed.
Business Rates System Is Broken
- Kate Nicholls says the business rates system is outdated and disproportionately penalises hospitality.
- She argues the sector pays 15% of business rates while generating only 5% of GDP, showing a systemic imbalance.
