Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has urged the government and licensees to take immediate action to prevent the closure of thousands of British pubs.
The chef, who runs the Michelin-starred gastropub The Hinds Head, is advocating for a cut to Britain's VAT rate, which ranks amongst Europe's steepest, as reported by .
He stated: "Saving the Great British pub is about more than nostalgia... it is about preserving spaces that bring people together, support local economies and keep traditions alive," as part of his new initiative 'Save the Great British Pub: A Call to Protect a National Treasure.'
"Pubs are at the heart of Britain's social fabric," he added.
Companies have been grappling with soaring energy, food and labour expenses alongside increased taxation since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pubs 'must be protected'
Trade body º£½ÇÊÓƵ Hospitality has likewise urged ministers to reduce VAT, whilst also cutting business rates and "fixing" employer's national insurance contributions.
"The 2024 Budget was a hammer blow to hospitality... businesses are reporting jobs being lost, hours cut, investment cancelled and [closures]," the organisation stated.
Earlier this week, over 600 Greene King landlords appealed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to slash taxes for pubs ahead of the Autumn Budget, contending that pubs face "serious pressure". Approximately two thirds of British hospitality establishments possess fewer than six months of financial reserves, whilst one in five operators have no safety net whatsoever.
Eight public houses permanently ceased trading each week throughout the º£½ÇÊÓƵ during the opening half of 2025, as escalating taxation and workforce expenses mounted pressure.
"When a pub closes, it's not just a business lost; it's a piece of local heritage," Blumenthal said. "The pub is a cultural icon, a national treasure and must be protected."
A government spokesperson said: "Pubs are vital to local communities, that's why we're cutting the cost of licensing, helping more pubs, cafes and restaurants offer pavement drinks and al fresco dining, and extended business rates relief for these businesses – on top of cutting alcohol duty on draught pints and capping corporation tax."
