St Austell Brewery Responds to Government Announcement on Pub Business Rates

The Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery has welcomed a government announcement that will soften planned increases to pub business rates from April.

Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery, issued a statement following confirmation of new support measures for pubs in England.

Reaction from St Austell Brewery

Kevin Georgel said the brewery welcomed the government’s intervention, which will mitigate the impact of business rates increases that had been scheduled for April. He said the business was pleased the government had engaged with trade bodies and recognised the economic, social and cultural contribution pubs make.

He also pointed to the public support shown across the media in recent weeks, saying it had played a role in the government reconsidering changes that could have accelerated pub closures.

Kevin added that he hopes the decision signals the need for a full review of the fiscal and regulatory pressures facing pubs, which he described as unfair and unsustainable. He said the focus now should be on working with government to permanently overhaul the business rates system so pubs can survive and thrive, providing employment, social connection and economic growth.

What the government announced

The government has confirmed a major support package for British pubs, recognising the challenges facing the sector and the role pubs play in local communities.

From April, pubs in England will receive a 15 percent cut to new business rates bills, followed by a two year real terms freeze. There will also be a review into the method used to value pubs for business rates, with any changes implemented for the 2029 revaluation.

The measures build on support announced at Budget 2025 and form part of a wider High Streets Strategy, which is due to be published later this year.

The government says the average pub will save an additional £1,650 in 2026 and 27. Around 75 percent of pubs are expected to see their bills fall or stay flat in that year, with the pub sector as a whole paying eight percent less in business rates in 2029 than it does currently.

Pressure on pubs

Government figures show pub numbers have fallen by nearly 7,000 since 2010, a reduction of around 15 percent. The sector has raised ongoing concerns about how pubs are valued for business rates, particularly as valuations are based on turnover potential rather than property size.

The government has confirmed it will review how costs are accounted for in this system, especially during periods of high inflation.

Wider support and licensing changes

As part of the announcement, the government confirmed £10 million of funding for the Hospitality Support Fund over three years, up from £1.5 million previously announced. The funding aims to help more than 1,000 pubs provide additional services for local communities and support people furthest from the labour market into hospitality jobs.

Licensing reforms were also announced. Pubs and other licensed venues in England and Wales will be allowed to open later for Home Nations’ matches in the later stages of this summer’s Men’s FIFA World Cup, without applying for a Temporary Event Notice. Further consultations will explore extended opening hours for other major events.

Grassroots live music venues that operate as pubs will also benefit from the business rates support.

England only relief

Business rates are devolved, meaning the new relief applies to England only. However, the changes will generate Barnett consequentials, allowing devolved administrations to decide whether to match the support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the measures are designed to help pubs and high streets thrive, alongside wider reforms to the business rates system.