The Prince of Wales stepped up to support community pubs last night, as the sector eagerly anticipates much-needed financial relief concerning business rates.
Prince William highlighted the importance of local pubs in fostering community spirit and encouraging face-to-face interactions, describing them as essential for maintaining “human-to-human contact” and steering people away from their phones.
While enjoying a cider at “The Goth” in the former mining village of Fallin, near Stirling, he expressed his support to the locals, saying, “I want to help pubs. This is the best place to come and get to know each other.”
He emphasized the significance of pubs, calling them “the heart of the community,” and shared his personal attachment by noting, “I grew up in pubs. I absolutely love pubs.”
With a touch of humor, he chatted with patrons about the value of friendly banter with friends, remarking, “We all need that occasionally. It brings us back down to earth.”
His supportive comments come at a time when pubs are eagerly awaiting details on when the Chancellor’s promised business rate relief will take effect.
Fears have been raised of widespread closures as the struggling with a perfect storm of rate and NICs rises and a downbeat economy forcing people to cut back on leisure spending.
Rachel Reeves, who is currently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said a week ago that pubs will receive ‘more temporary support’ in a climbdown from a Budget decision.
Ministers had put in place a £4.3 billion fund to help pubs with the transition to higher rates, but the Chancellor acknowledged ‘for some pubs there is still a big increase’, and she confirmed they will receive extra financial aid with an announcement due ‘in the next few days and weeks’.
The Treasury and No10 have so far declined to say when that help will materialise.
Pub group JD Wetherspoon warned over profits today as it revealed a £45 million hit in its first half from surging costs – including energy, wages and business rates.
It said profits in the first half are ‘likely to be lower’ year-on-year, with the annual trading result also set to come in below the previous year, as rising costs took the shine off otherwise robust Christmas trading at the 800-strong pub chain.
Ms Reeves insisted businesses were feeling ‘optimistic’ despite mounting signs of the impact of tax hikes and cost pressures.
William praised the role of local boozers in bringing people together and getting them off their phones, saying they were ‘crucial’ for ‘human-to-human contact’.
William praised the role of local boozers in bringing people together and getting them off their phones, saying they were ‘crucial’ for ‘human-to-human contact’.
Enjoying a drink on a visit with the princess of Wales to ‘The Goth’ in the mining villlage of Fallin, near Stirling, William told locals: ‘I want to help pubs. This is the best place to come and get to know each other’
Rachel Reeves, who is currently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said a week ago that pubs will receive ‘more temporary support’ in a climbdown from a Budget decision.
Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, she told Sky News: ‘Businesses here, this week are feeling positive.
‘They’re feeling optimistic about the year ahead.
‘I am too, because we have the right plan, for our economy, for our country to bring that growth and prosperity in all parts of the country that we need.’
Sir Keir Starmer last week said the Government is working with the sector ‘to ensure that they get the support that they need’ after an outcry over the impact of an upcoming hike in business rates.
But the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are 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 was announced by Ms Reeves in November.
It is one in a string of policy changes by Sir Keir’s Government, which most recently included a rowback on its flagship policy of mandatory digital IDs.
Named after a Swedish tradition where profits are funnelled back into the community, there were previously 50 ‘Goth’ pubs in the county, but now there are just four.
Before the advent of the NHS, the tavern paid for a doctor and a nurse to help people living nearby.
Today, the two flats above the pub offer cheap rent to young people who are saving money to get on the housing ladder.
The pub has a long history in Fallin, which developed as a mining village around the Polmaise Colliery.
As well as providing a place for miners to drink after work, it also became a focal hub for the community, with supervisors able to keep tabs on workers drinking too much.
The village became well-known during the miners’ strike of the 1980s when workers were among the first to strike and the last to return during the protest.
Meanwhile, William, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, was told how the pub continues to promote its strong links with the community, including a nearby bowls club, which dates back to 1911.
