Independent Pub Alliance - IPA

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The Independent Pub Alliance is a newly formed group of independent publicans, hospitality workers, researchers and supporters who believe that UK pubs and small hospitality businesses are being placed at a structural disadvantage by current affairs.

300,000 signatures.Just take a moment to think about that.More than 300,000 people have now backed the campaign, sendi...
31/07/2026

300,000 signatures.

Just take a moment to think about that.

More than 300,000 people have now backed the campaign, sending a clear message that the tax burden on hospitality has gone too far.

This isn’t just a petition anymore. It’s a movement made up of publicans, restaurateurs, café owners, hospitality workers and customers who understand what’s at stake.

To every single person who has signed, shared or supported the campaign – thank you. Your voice is helping to keep this issue firmly on the political agenda.

Now the challenge is simple: Government must listen.

Hospitality doesn’t need sympathy. It needs action.

It’s always encouraging to see politicians spending time behind the bar rather than simply talking about pubs from Westm...
31/07/2026

It’s always encouraging to see politicians spending time behind the bar rather than simply talking about pubs from Westminster.

Labour MP Julia Buckley recently rolled up her sleeves, pulled a few pints and spent time speaking with staff and customers to better understand the day-to-day realities of running a pub. That kind of engagement is welcome, because there’s no substitute for seeing first-hand the pressures our sector faces.

But listening must now lead to action.

Pubs need more than photo opportunities. They need meaningful, long-term reform that tackles the issues threatening their future: fairer business rates, a lower rate of VAT for hospitality, a sustainable tied pub model and support with the rising cost of doing business.

We welcome any MP who takes the time to understand our industry. We simply ask that the conversations held over the bar are followed by decisions made around the Cabinet table.

Britain’s pubs have shown time and again that they are at the heart of their communities. Now they need a Government prepared to match warm words with lasting support.

The reaction from Britain’s publicans to the Government’s 20% business rates cut has been remarkably consistent.They’re ...
24/07/2026

The reaction from Britain’s publicans to the Government’s 20% business rates cut has been remarkably consistent.

They’re pleased.

But they’re also asking one simple question…

Is this really enough?

Dan Smith, landlord of the Red Lion in Derbyshire, perhaps summed it up best. He pointed out that business rates account for just 16p of a typical pie-and-pint sale in his pub, while VAT accounts for £3.42.

That puts the challenge facing hospitality into perspective.

Meanwhile, Tim Skinner, who operates several pubs in London, welcomed the announcement but said we have to be “honest about the reality”. An average saving of around £1,100 a year is appreciated, but it’s only a small contribution towards soaring wage costs, National Insurance increases, energy bills and inflation.

That is exactly why the Independent Pub Alliance welcomes this announcement while also recognising that it cannot be the end of the conversation.

This is progress.

It shows the Government has started listening.

But if ministers are serious about securing the future of Britain’s pubs, they must now go further.

Reform business rates properly.

Reduce hospitality VAT.

Create a tax system that allows pubs to invest, employ local people and remain at the heart of their communities.

Britain’s publicans have welcomed this announcement.

Now they’re waiting to see whether it is the beginning of meaningful reform… or just another headline.

Business rates cut welcomed – but will it be enough?The Independent Pub Alliance welcomes today’s announcement of a 20% ...
23/07/2026

Business rates cut welcomed – but will it be enough?

The Independent Pub Alliance welcomes today’s announcement of a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. After years of relentless cost increases, it’s encouraging to see the Government recognising that business rates have become a significant burden for the hospitality sector.

Pubs are much more than places to eat and drink. They are employers, community hubs, live music venues, fundraising centres and vital social spaces that bring people together. Every measure that helps keep their doors open is a positive one.

However, while today’s announcement is certainly welcome, the real question is whether it will go far enough.

Pubs continue to face rising employment costs, higher National Insurance contributions, increased energy bills and ongoing inflation. Many have also seen substantial increases in their rateable values, leaving them under greater financial pressure than ever before.

This announcement should be seen as a positive first step, but not the final destination.

The Independent Pub Alliance continues to call for wider reform, including a reduced rate of VAT for hospitality and a fairer long-term business rates system that properly reflects the challenges facing the sector.

Today’s news shows the Government is listening. Now it must build on that momentum and deliver the comprehensive support Britain’s pubs need to survive, invest and thrive.

Fewer pubs. More beer sold.At first glance, those two statements don’t seem to belong together, but that’s exactly what ...
22/07/2026

Fewer pubs. More beer sold.

At first glance, those two statements don’t seem to belong together, but that’s exactly what we’re seeing.

The number of licensed premises continues to fall, yet draught beer sales are proving remarkably resilient. What does that tell us?

It tells us that people still want pubs.

When communities have access to a good local, they use it. They choose fresh draught beer, they meet friends, they celebrate, they watch sport and they support local businesses. The demand hasn’t disappeared.

The real problem isn’t a lack of customers. It’s that too many viable pubs are being squeezed by relentless taxation, rising employment costs, energy bills and outdated business rates.

Every time another pub closes, the remaining venues often become busier. That’s not a sign of a healthy industry – it’s a sign of contraction.

Imagine what Britain’s pub sector could achieve if Government focused on helping existing pubs thrive instead of merely surviving.

The public still wants pubs.

Now it’s time for policymakers to show they want them too.

A new Prime Minister. A new opportunity.Today, Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister.During his campaign, he spoke about e...
20/07/2026

A new Prime Minister. A new opportunity.

Today, Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister.

During his campaign, he spoke about easing the burden on Britain’s pubs and small businesses. Now comes the difficult part: turning those promises into action.

The hospitality industry doesn’t need warm words. It needs meaningful tax reform. A permanent cut in hospitality VAT, fairer business rates, and a tax system that allows pubs, restaurants and cafés to invest, employ and thrive.

At the same time, families across the country are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living. If the new Government can put more money back into people’s pockets, that doesn’t just help households – it helps every high street, every village pub and every local business that depends on consumer confidence.

The Independent Pub Alliance congratulates the Prime Minister on his appointment later today and looks forward to seeing whether this Government will deliver the lifeline our industry has been calling for.

Britain’s pubs have waited long enough. Now is the time for action, not promises.

When Pub Companies Fail Their Publicans, They Fail Our PubsThe decision by the Pubs Code Adjudicator to launch a formal ...
15/07/2026

When Pub Companies Fail Their Publicans, They Fail Our Pubs

The decision by the Pubs Code Adjudicator to launch a formal investigation into Stonegate should concern everyone who cares about the future of British pubs. It is only the second statutory investigation since the Pubs Code came into force in 2016, making it a significant moment for our industry.

For too long, many tied tenants have told us they feel trapped in relationships where transparency is lacking, expectations are unrealistic and support often falls short when it is needed most. While the investigation will establish the facts, the concerns being examined are not unfamiliar to us or to countless publicans who have contacted the Independent Pub Alliance.

This isn’t simply about one pub company. It shines a light on a culture that has developed in parts of the pub company sector where the success of the tenant can sometimes appear secondary to protecting the balance sheet.

The tied model can work. Many pub companies invest in their estates, back their tenants and build genuine long-term partnerships. But when tenants are presented with unrealistic business projections, struggle to secure essential repairs or feel they are not being treated fairly, the entire model is undermined. Those are exactly the kinds of issues the Pubs Code was introduced to prevent.

At a time when pubs are battling soaring employment costs, energy prices, business rates and inflation, tenants should not also have to battle the very companies that own their buildings. Every unnecessary obstacle makes another pub closure more likely.

The latest Pubs Code Adjudicator tenant survey should be a wake-up call. Overall satisfaction among tied tenants has fallen, and Stonegate again recorded the lowest satisfaction levels of the six regulated pub-owning businesses. That should prompt serious reflection across the entire sector, not just within one organisation.

Every pub that closes represents more than a failed business. It is jobs lost, communities weakened and another piece of Britain’s social fabric disappearing. We often hear that rising costs are solely responsible for these closures. While government taxation undoubtedly plays a huge role, we cannot ignore the damage caused when pub-owning businesses fail to build fair, transparent and supportive relationships with the people running their pubs.

We believe tenants deserve honesty before they sign an agreement, transparency throughout their tenancy and support when trading becomes difficult. Those should not be seen as optional extras; they should be the foundation of every tied agreement.

We welcome the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s investigation because confidence in the tied sector depends on accountability. If the Code has been breached, lessons must be learned. If standards have slipped, they must improve.

The future of Britain’s pubs will only be secured when everyone involved shares the same objective: successful publicans running sustainable businesses. Pub companies cannot simply collect rent and supply beer. They have a responsibility to help their tenants succeed, because when tenants thrive, pubs thrive.

That is the partnership our industry deserves.

For more information check out the latest blog from the Pubs Advisory Service here 👇🏼

https://pubs.expert/is-stonegate-playing-fair-the-pcas-investigation-how-to-fight-back/

Warm Words Must Now Become Real Action for Britain’s PubsThe Government says it is “absolutely committed” to supporting ...
09/07/2026

Warm Words Must Now Become Real Action for Britain’s Pubs

The Government says it is “absolutely committed” to supporting hospitality. We welcome those words, because pubs across the country desperately need a Government that recognises the enormous contribution our sector makes to communities, employment and the wider economy.

But warm words alone will not pay the bills.

Every week we speak to publicans facing impossible decisions. Rising employment costs, higher business rates, soaring utility bills and continued tax pressure are forcing many operators to question how much longer they can continue. These are not isolated cases, they are being felt in village locals, city bars, managed houses, tenanted pubs and independent businesses alike.

As the Independent Pub Alliance, we are proud to be a voice for every pub. Whether a venue is independent, brewery-owned, tenanted, leased or part of a national operator, the challenges are remarkably similar. The pressures do not discriminate, and neither do we.

We appreciate that Government has introduced some support measures and continues to engage with the sector. However, the reality is that too many pubs are still operating on wafer-thin margins while carrying an ever-growing tax burden. The gap between political commitment and commercial reality remains far too wide.

Pubs are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for a fair environment in which viable businesses can invest, employ local people and continue serving their communities. That means meaningful reform of business rates, a competitive VAT rate for hospitality, sensible taxation and policies that encourage growth rather than make survival harder.

Hospitality has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience. It creates jobs, supports local suppliers, attracts visitors and provides an irreplaceable social hub in towns and villages across the UK. Investing in pubs is investing in communities.

We stand ready to work constructively with ministers to deliver lasting solutions. But the time for promises is passing. If the Government is truly committed to supporting hospitality, we now need to see that commitment translated into decisive action.

Britain’s pubs have always stepped up when the country has needed them. Now the sector needs Government to do the same.

Digital ID Could Be a Positive Step for Pubs – If It’s Done ProperlyAt the Independent Pub Alliance, we’re always suppor...
09/07/2026

Digital ID Could Be a Positive Step for Pubs – If It’s Done Properly

At the Independent Pub Alliance, we’re always supportive of changes that genuinely make life easier for pubs and their customers. The Government’s plans to introduce digital proof of age have the potential to do exactly that - but only if they’re implemented in the right way.

Under the proposals, customers will be able to use certified digital ID to prove they are over 18 when buying alcohol, alongside existing forms of identification such as passports, driving licences and PASS cards. We welcome the fact that this is about offering greater choice, not replacing traditional forms of ID.

If digital age verification helps reduce fake IDs, speeds up service at busy bars and gives our teams greater confidence when carrying out age checks, then it could be a real benefit for the hospitality sector.

However, we’ve seen too many well-intentioned policies become unnecessarily complicated for businesses on the front line.

Independent pubs are already facing rising costs, increasing regulation and constant operational pressures. The last thing licensees need is another system that creates confusion, requires expensive technology or leaves staff uncertain about what they can and can’t accept.

That’s why we believe any rollout must be simple, consistent and backed by clear guidance. Every pub should know exactly how digital ID works, how it should be verified and what legal protection exists for businesses acting in good faith.

It’s equally important that customers who don’t own a smartphone, or who simply prefer using physical identification, aren’t left behind. Digital ID should provide another option, not become the only option.

As the voice of independent pubs, we’ll continue to support sensible modernisation where it delivers real benefits to our sector. Technology should make running a pub easier, not harder.

If digital proof of age delivers greater security, reduces fraud and improves the customer experience without placing extra burdens on operators, then we’ll welcome it. But as with every policy affecting hospitality, success will ultimately depend on how it’s delivered in practice.

We’ll continue to work constructively with Government and the wider industry to ensure that any changes are practical, affordable and designed with independent pubs at their heart.

We welcome proposals to expand business rates relief for small businesses, but the plans should be viewed as the beginni...
06/07/2026

We welcome proposals to expand business rates relief for small businesses, but the plans should be viewed as the beginning of a much bigger conversation—not the finished solution.

The suggested changes would increase the rateable value thresholds for Small Business Rates Relief, potentially taking thousands more businesses out of paying business rates altogether. For many independent operators, that could provide much-needed breathing space after years of rising costs and relentless financial pressure.

Any move that eases the burden on small, independently run businesses deserves recognition. High streets have been crying out for meaningful support, and there is growing acceptance across the political spectrum that the current business rates system is no longer fit for purpose.

However, we believe the proposals still leave many community pubs behind.

Countless pubs have rateable values above the proposed thresholds, despite operating on modest margins and serving as vital community hubs. These are the venues hosting local charities, bringing neighbours together, supporting grassroots sport and providing employment in towns and villages across the country. They are far from large corporate businesses, yet many would see little or no benefit from these changes.

We have argued that the business rates system needs fundamental reform rather than another series of adjustments around the edges. A fairer model should recognise the unique role pubs play in their communities instead of continuing to treat them as an easy source of tax revenue.

Business rates are only one part of the challenge. Hospitality businesses continue to face some of the highest operating costs in Europe, with energy bills, wage increases and one of the highest VAT rates for hospitality all placing enormous pressure on independent operators.

That is why the we will continue to call for a permanent reduction in hospitality VAT to 10%, alongside meaningful reform of business rates. Together, those measures would provide long-term confidence for businesses to invest, create jobs and keep Britain’s pubs at the heart of their communities.

These latest proposals represent welcome progress and show that the need for change is finally being recognised. But if policymakers are serious about protecting Britain’s pubs, they must ensure that reform goes beyond helping only the very smallest premises.

The conversation has started. Now it’s time to deliver a system that works for every community pub.

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