Stroud Brewery is calling on publicans from across the region to attend an urgent “Publicans’ Emergency Response Meeting” on Tuesday 9th December, 2–5pm.
The meeting has been convened in direct response to the Government’s recent Budget, which has sent shock waves through the pub and hospitality sector and left many businesses facing unprecedented financial pressure.
Hosted in the Brewery’s Balcony Bar, the emergency session aims to bring publicans together to share survival strategies, address the emotional strain caused by the escalating crisis, and form a collective plan to challenge the Government’s measures. Publicans are urged to register and attend in what organisers describe as a vital moment for the future of the industry.
The meeting comes at a time when the sector is already at breaking point. One pub a week has closed in 2025 so far, and before the latest Budget was announced, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) estimated that 378 pubs would shut this year across England, Wales and Scotland—resulting in more than 5,600 direct job losses. That figure is now expected to be significantly higher.
Despite widespread appeals from publicans, hospitality leaders and trade bodies, the Government’s Budget offered no meaningful lifeline. Instead, it has intensified existing pressures created by the previous Budget and ongoing high energy costs. While the rise in minimum wage is welcomed in principle, publicans warn that the combined financial impact will be devastating:
- A 4.1% rise in the minimum wage, alongside an 8.1% rise for 18–20-year-olds
- Business rates for over 85% of pubs set to increase by an average of 78%
- Alcohol duty rising with inflation, reducing customer demand
For many establishments already operating on razor-thin margins, these compounded costs may be impossible to withstand.
Pubs remain vital social and economic anchors for local communities. 72% of British adults believe pubs have a positive impact on their area, and the beer and pub sector currently contributes £34.3 billion to the UK economy while supporting 1 million jobs. Yet industry leaders argue that these benefits have been ignored in what they describe as a short-sighted and damaging Government approach.
The Publicans’ Emergency Response Meeting offers a rare opportunity for the sector to unite, regroup and take action during one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 9th December
Time: 2–5pm
Location: Balcony Bar, Stroud Brewery
Registration: Publicans wishing to attend should register HERE.
