WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols is backing a major support package for pubs and live music venues announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
‘We listened – 15% off business rates and £300m for pubs and live music venues’, said Ms Nichols, Chair of Pubs APPG, who is backing the major support package which will help Warrington pubs and live music venues.
The Chancellor is backing British pubs with the announcement of a major support package, as the government recognises the challenges facing the industry and the vital role they play in building strong local communities.
In 2026-27, all pubs and live music venues in England will benefit from a 15% business rates relief on top of the support announced at Budget 2025. Their bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years.
Pubs have faced significant pressure as their numbers have fallen by nearly 7,000 since 2010, a roughly 15% reduction and amongst the highest across hospitality overall. The sector has also raised concerns around the way they are valued for business rates purposes.
Recognising the value they bring and the challenges they face, the government is introducing a support package to save the average pub an additional £1,650 in 2026/27. Around 75% of pubs will see their bills fall or stay flat over the same year, with the pub sector as a whole paying 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do currently.
The government is also launching a review into how they are valued. The review will be carried out by the government alongside businesses and their representatives, as well as valuation experts, ensuring that any decisions that follow will be implemented for the 2029 revaluation.
The Chancellor has also announced £10 million of funding for the Hospitality Support Fund over three years – upped from £1.5 million for one year announced last April – to support pubs across the UK. The additional funding aims to help over 1,000 pubs provide extra services for local communities, including creating community cafes, village stores and play areas to help pubs bring locals and families together and boost their footfall. It will also support people who are furthest from the labour market to move into jobs in hospitality.
Ms Nichols said: “In January, I made clear at the North Cheshire CAMRA regional meeting that I stand with Warrington’s publicans and that I had raised concerns from across the hospitality sector with the Government in my capacity as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Pubs, with support from colleagues in the Beer APPG. The conversations I had with the Government were positive and constructive, and I am very happy that action has been taken for the good of the Pub industry and the many thousands of staff who work across the sector”.
“Further to this licencing reforms are being updated for pubs and other licensed venues, meaning they will be able to open after midnight for Home Nations’ games in the later stages of this summer’s Men’s FIFA World Cup, meaning more time for fans at the pub while boosting takings behind the bar and supporting jobs in hospitality”.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves added: “If we’re going to restore the pride in our communities, we need our pubs and our high streets to thrive. We’re backing British pubs with additional support, and our new High Streets Strategy will help tackle the long-term challenges that our much-loved retail, leisure and hospitality businesses have faced. Thriving local businesses, bustling high streets and pride restored in our communities – that’s what this government is delivering”.
