Heartbreak as pub pressured to shut down as Labour ‘jeopardised’ enterprise | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A beloved UK pub has closed its doorways, saying pressures have been exacerbated by the Government’s “openly hostile” place. The Golden Fleece in Nottingham stated in an announcement: “It is with great regret that we announce the closure of Golden Fleece. Serious safety concerns relating to the building, combined with relentless and unsustainable increases in operating costs – particularly utilities – have made continued operation impossible.

“These pressures have been intensified by a Government approach that is openly hostile to pubs and the wider hospitality sector, imposing rising pressure with no meaningful support. This decision was not taken lightly. We thank our customers, staff, and the local community for their loyalty and support over the years, and regret that circumstances beyond our control have forced this closure.”

Manager Marc Paling, 35, told our sister site NottinghamshireLive of extensive repairs that needed to be made, also commenting on rising costs.

He stated: “Everything’s going up. Gas and electrical energy have gone up. Business charges have been quite a bit decrease within the first couple of years however then shot up.

“Then minimum wage kept going up as well, which we agree with, but, as a business, we need to keep our costs low.

“It simply doesn’t steadiness as a result of we’d then need to put our costs up, which might jeopardise our enterprise additional.

“It’s great they’re reducing the rates now, but with everything else going up, you’ve got your utilities, insurance and all these other things that pile on top.

“It’s simply not doable to maintain prices low in the meanwhile due to all the things going up.”

He added: “I believe 100% that rising working prices are a widespread drawback. Unless you’re an enormous chain in the meanwhile, you see an increasing number of small companies going.

“But certain chain pubs have to be sold as well because people just can’t afford to go out anymore.

“People don’t spend as a lot cash as they used to as a result of you need to hold your eye in your cash these days.

“It’s a widespread UK problem. You don’t see free houses anymore because big companies like Greene King and Wetherspoon are buying people out.

“It’s simply not sustainable. People are going to fall into suppression. Ultimately, I believe we’ll quickly find yourself with simply Greene King and Wetherspoons. I’ve received nothing towards them, however it’s a disgrace.”

It comes as the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been criticised for her approach, which has seen business rates doubling “for thousands of pubs” after their costs were already increased by a rise in National Insurance payments for employers and in the minimum wage.

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the Government is working with the pubs sector “to ensure that they get the support that they need” after an outcry over the impact of an upcoming hike in business rates.

Ms Reeves earlier said pubs will receive “more temporary support” in a climbdown from a Budget decision.

But the Prime Minister and the Chancellor appear to be resisting calls for the financial aid to be extended to other ailing hospitality businesses, with Ms Reeves saying the “biggest concern” is around pubs.

The rise in rates is due to a combination of properties being revalued and the withdrawal of Covid-era discounts, which were announced by Ms Reeves in November.

Ministers had put in place a £4.3billion fund to assist pubs with the transition to greater charges, however the Chancellor acknowledged “for some pubs there is still a big increase”, and he or she confirmed they are going to obtain further monetary support with an announcement due “in the next few days and weeks”.