"It's harder and harder than I think it ever has been" - Pubs landlords in Calderdale say they're facing a struggle to survive

It is thought around eight pubs in the UK close every week due to rising costs and other economic pressures.

The Government recently announced a climbdown on increases to business rates bills for pubs in England after a strong backlash from the industry.

But landlords say the current landscape feels more challenging than ever.

Chris Green, who has been landlord of The Volunteer Arms in Copley for more than 20 years, describes the current climate for pubs as "shocking".

"It's probably the worst time I've known in 22 years," he said.

"There's always something in the Budget you've got to contend with, from the smoking ban to double dip recessions to Covid and everything else.

"What happened (increases to the business rates bills faced by pubs) really put a nail in the coffin of many pubs without this u-turn.

"Business rates have gone up before, but never like this, this was a massive jump.

"We worked out we'd probably have to make an extra £16,000 to cover the cost, which includes a rent increase at the same time.

"It's petrifying at the moment."

Chris added: "It started to look bad when energy costs when through the roof, especially for a lot of food-led pubs.

"And then with the National Insurance going up, minimum wage is a massive thing that's gone up again, by another 50 pence per hour I think it is.

"Without that u-turn, it's not going to be worth doing.

"I'm not saying you wouldn't get by, but it wouldn't be worth working.

"You might as well go and get a job and get minimum wage and you'd probably earn more."

Matthew Browne has been landlord at The Robin Hood pub in Pecket Well for just over four years, and ran the Stubbing Wharf for around 16 years.

He said: "It's got more difficult.

"The Stubbing Wharf was a tied business, now we're in a freehold.

"What you can probably tell is the difference in percentages, how everything works its way back from your profit margins to your cost.

"There's a lot higher percentages on fuel, which has been going on for a few years, and then National Insurance has really hiked up.

"When we pay our PAYE bill now, it's staggeringly higher than it was a year ago.

"Luckily, we're a fairly busy spot most of the time but with the increased costs in wages and National Insurance and fuel, I can see where the margins are getting tightened everywhere."

Matthew added: "The people who were running the Stubbing have just packed in, and the pub down the road from us has shut down.

"So you can definitely see that there's difficulties all round.

"We're making it work but it's definitely a struggle.

"Having known how the margins normally work, it's harder and harder than I think it ever has been.

"Maybe back in our early days at the Stubbing, 2006, 2007, it was a bit of struggle but then everything got better, but now it's just gone the other way.

"It is an issue, and if it doesn't get sorted, it's going to cause more closures."

Andrew Gardner has run the Market Tavern pub in Brighouse for nearly ten years.

"It's not easy anymore but we've got our regulars and we just plod on," he said.

"It's a nice little business, and we're not all about making money, as long as we can keep plodding on, we're happy.

"Everyone just carries on. It can be hard work, people don't realise how much hard work goes into it.

"I'm 63 now so another three or four years and hopefully I'll be able to retire, but that's nothing to do with the pub or anything, it'd just be time.

"They're making it harder and harder for pubs, with the National Insurance rise and everything else, it's just more expense for us.

"The minimum wage doesn't affect us too much as me and my partner are both hands on, and then we have two other staff, but even then, they're making it harder and harder.

"But that's not just pubs, that's everywhere."

Simon Jackson, owner of the Acapulco nightclub and vice chair of Halifax pubwatch. said: "At one of our last Pubwatch meetings, one of the main topics on the table was the rising prices and falling footfall.

"Sadly, when we asked how many people felt they’d survive through next year, fewer than half raised their hands.

"A big part of it is the rising costs: several of us have had to let staff go and reduce staffing levels because wage bills are climbing considerably. Naturally, that means drink and food prices go up too.

"On top of that, the town is dealing with roadworks and an influx of aggressive beggars, which makes the streets feel less welcoming. Combine all that with the rising cost of living, and several members of our Watch group may be at risk of losing their businesses this year.

"However, on a more positive note, I and the Acapulco, along with another company I own, are hoping to collaborate with Halifax BID.

"Much like we did during Covid with drive-in movies at Dean Clough to support restaurants, we’re looking to do something that involves not just the Piece Hall but the main town center. Hopefully, we can draw more footfall back to the shops, restaurants, cafés, and ultimately the pubs and nightclubs."