A Stroud pub landlord has warned that soaring costs and relentless taxation are pushing the price of a pint towards £10 — and says struggling publicans should not be blamed.
Wesley Birch, who runs The Ship Inn and Old Neighbourhood, said the recent reports of £10 pints in London reflect mounting pressure across the hospitality industry.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” he said. “Whilst we are far from charging this price, I can see how many pubs will come to charge this sooner than we think.
“Seeing the price of a pint creep towards £10 isn’t just a shock to the wallet — it’s a threat to our local culture. However, we shouldn’t be quick to blame publicans.”
Birch believes the main driver behind rising prices is the increasing financial burden being placed on the hospitality sector.
“The government continues to treat the hospitality industry like a bottomless piggy bank,” he said. “We are faced with some of the heaviest taxes in the world and the local pub is being taxed into extinction.”
He added that many pubs are already struggling to survive as changing social habits combine with rising operational costs and industry pressures.
“Pubs have been closing at a rate of knots for years as habits change, but those few still keeping their heads above water are now being waterboarded by relentless government taxation and the stranglehold of brewery full-tie leases.”
Despite the challenges facing the trade, Birch says his focus for 2026 is firmly on adapting and keeping his venues thriving within the community.
“After a year of heavy campaigning, my focus for 2026 is on practical survival,” he said. “We are doubling down on what works by extending our food service hours and creating a new draw for the community to help offset the industry-wide decline in traditional drinking habits.”
Birch believes pubs now have to evolve far beyond being solely drinking venues if they are to survive long-term.
“The local pub has always been about community,” he added. “If we want these places to still exist for the next generation, the industry needs support — not more pressure.”
