Pubs are more than businesses. Across Hertsmere, they are places where people meet friends, celebrate milestones, support local charities and keep village and town centres alive.
From historic pubs in our villages to those anchoring local high streets, the pub industry plays a vital role in Hertsmere’s social life and local economy. They provide jobs, support local supply chains and act as informal community hubs in a way few other businesses can.
Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Chris Myers, Cabinet Member for Culture at Hertsmere Borough Council, said:
“Pubs are part of the social fabric of Hertsmere. They are places where people come together, where friendships are formed, local causes are supported and community life happens day in, day out.
After years of rising costs and uncertainty, this announcement from a Labour Government is a welcome and practical step to give pubs the stability they need to plan ahead. By tackling business rates, reviewing how pubs are valued and recognising their wider community role, the Government is showing that it understands both the economic and social value of our local pubs.
Backing pubs is about backing communities, and that matters just as much in Hertsmere as it does anywhere else.”
Since 2010, the UK has lost nearly 7,000 pubs, around 15 percent of the total. Rising costs, changing consumer habits and long-standing concerns about how pubs are valued for business rates have made it harder for many to survive. Those pressures have been felt locally as well as nationally.
The Labour Government’s new support package takes practical steps to stabilise the sector and give pubs greater certainty. From April, every pub will receive a 15 percent reduction on its new business rates bill, on top of support already announced at the Budget. Bills will then be frozen for a further two years, providing breathing space for businesses planning ahead.
Three quarters of pubs are expected to see their bills stay flat or fall, with the average pub saving around £1,650 next year. As a sector, pubs will be paying around 8 percent less in business rates by 2029 than they do today.
Crucially, the Government will also review how pubs are valued for business rates and make changes if needed ahead of the 2029 revaluation, responding directly to long-standing concerns raised by the sector.
Additional measures include allowing pubs to open later for key World Cup match days, exploring further planning flexibility, and more than doubling the Hospitality Support Fund to help over 1,000 pubs provide additional community services.
Relief will be awarded at the discretion of local authorities, using Government guidance and existing definitions, ensuring support is targeted appropriately.
This announcement sits alongside the Chancellor’s £4.3 billion package to support businesses, including caps on overnight business rate rises as new revaluations take effect. It also forms part of a wider commitment to high streets, with a cross-government High Streets Strategy to be brought forward later this year to respond to changing working patterns, online shopping and rising costs.
Hertsmere Labour believes strong pubs are part of strong communities. This package shows a Labour Government listening to concerns, backing local businesses and taking practical action to protect places that matter to residents across our borough.