Wesley Birch, owner of The Ship Inn in Brimscombe and The Old Neighbourhood in Chalford, has spoken publicly about the growing challenges facing small hospitality businesses amid rising costs and regulatory pressures.
“For anyone who knows me, you’ll know I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of person,” Birch said, who also runs Birch Catering. “I thrive on positivity and working with my amazing team. However, this year has been exceptionally hard. We’ve seen profits stripped away, and the ongoing pressures on small businesses have hit hospitality particularly hard.”
Birch and his wife have waived their modest salaries and personally invested in their businesses for the first time since founding Birch Catering. “We know this isn’t sustainable, but it’s all we can do to support our staff, community, and clients. We thought we could weather the storm, but I’m concerned about what the next budget announcement may bring,” he added.
Highlighting the personal impact of these pressures, Birch said: “I haven’t slept well recently, I’ve been snappy with my family, and my mental health has been affected. For the first time ever, I’ve asked to pay our VAT in three instalments over the next three months — only to be told we’d incur 8% interest. Our team and suppliers remain our top priority, followed by HMRC, and ourselves last, if there’s anything left.”
Despite the challenges, Birch remains grateful for his team and community. “We consider ourselves lucky to have an incredible team, live in a beautiful area, and be supported by our cherished communities. It’s business as usual for now — but it cannot continue like this indefinitely.”
According to recent reports, the UK hospitality sector has suffered an estimated 89,000 job losses since April, reflecting the widespread strain on pubs, restaurants, and small catering businesses nationwide.
