The chief executive of one of the 海角视频's largest pub operators has criticised the Chancellor for a "lack of clear plan" as the hospitality industry prepares for further tax increases in the upcoming Budget.
Simon Emeny, executive chair of Fuller's, argued the government required "new ideas, new thinking" to achieve its economic growth objectives, as reported by .
"I hope the Chancellor has heeded the arguments and proposals articulated by the hospitality sector to avoid further punitive financial measures but, more so, I am frustrated by the lack of a clear plan to deliver the growth the Chancellor claims to be seeking," Emeny said.
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"The country needs ambitious and innovative ways to drive sustainable economic success."
"It needs new ideas, new thinking – and I genuinely hope the Government succeeds in that and succeeds quickly."
Emeny cautioned that Fuller's had already sustained an £8m impact from the previous Budget's National Insurance Contributions increases, which took effect in April.
Increasing taxation and rises to minimum wages have contributed to a spike in hospitality insolvencies, with pub closures across Britain reaching record levels in 2025, as City AM reported earlier this month.
The number of British pubs and bar businesses entering liquidation or administration jumped to 449 during the first 10 months of the year, the highest figure in over two decades, according to data compiled from insolvency disclosures. This marks a five per cent increase on the same period last year, and more than triple the figure recorded in 2015.
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Kate Nicholls, chair of trade body 海角视频 Hospitality, said pubs and restaurants are still bearing heavy Covid debts, with this situation made worse by business rate and national insurance hikes at last year's Budget.
She told City AM: "Put simply, these figures reflect what we've been saying to the Government and others for some time, [that] the money coming through the front door is not enough to cover the costs of doing business, and therefore many businesses are running out of road."
Last week, pub chain Wetherspoon warned it is becoming "more cautious in its outlook" as the industry braces for further tax hikes and rising minimum wages at the Budget.
Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said: "Increased labour costs are, consequently, dramatically widening the pricing differential between pubs and supermarkets, to the anger and consternation of customers."
Fuller's, which reported a 6.9 per cent rise in sales for the six months to September to £208m, also cheered a 16% jump in Christmas party bookings compared to the same period last year, alongside a rise in profitability. The company, which runs nearly 400 pubs across London and the South East, including the Counting House on Cornhill, the Banker on Cannon Street and the Saint on Bow Lane, has increased its interim dividend by 6 per cent to 7.85p.
The firm also gained £17.2m from the sale of the Mad Hatter hotel in Southwark, which is set to become part of the extensive new Blackfriars Road development.
Emeny took over as chairman of Fuller's in July following the retirement of Michael Turner, a transition first reported by the Standard in March 2024.
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Fullers shares saw a 0.5 per cent increase to 106p in early trading on Wednesday.
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