Landlords have blasted Keir Starmer’s plan to allow pubs to stay open later, branding it a “complete waste of time” that will do nothing to fix the damage caused by Labour’s soaring taxes and rising costs.
The Prime Minister this week unveiled proposals to relax Britain’s strict licensing laws, promising the move would “cut red tape” and “help pubs thrive” by giving them the chance to trade for longer.
But publicans and industry bosses have hit back furiously, warning that the policy risks doing more harm than good, piling pressure on already overstretched landlords struggling with crippling wage bills, tax hikes and dwindling late-night trade.
Clive Watson, chief executive of the City Pub Company, which runs 50 pubs across Britain, dismissed the plans as “total nonsense. He said:
“It will increase staffing costs and staff will have to travel home late at night.”
Another publican, who asked not to be named, laid bare the human cost of rising bills and endless red tape.
“Since this Labour government came in, I’ve already had to let go of two members of staff because of higher NI and soaring costs. My wife and I are now working extra shifts just to keep the doors open. Honestly, I don’t know how much longer we can go on. Longer hours won’t save us, we need a government that supports the economy, not one that strangles it with taxes and bureaucracy.”
The backlash comes just days after Sir Keir launched a fast-track review into licensing rules, part of Labour’s “Plan for Change” aimed at boosting sales and footfall across Britain’s struggling pub industry.
Sir Keir said:
“Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. Under our Plan for Change, we’re backing them to thrive.”
However, landlords argue that the proposals will do little to offset the financial burden created by Labour’s own tax and wage increases.
Since April, pubs have been hit with higher National Insurance contributions and minimum wage costs, measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last year. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates the changes have cost each pub around £14,000 a year.
Industry leaders say many pubs are being forced to cut their opening hours or close altogether.
Steve Alton, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), said:
“Whilst some pubs will benefit, particularly those in the late night sector, for the majority of our members the impact will be limited.”
Wetherspoon boss Sir Tim Martin also accused the government of failing to tackle the real problems facing the trade.
He said:
“As it stands today, most pubs are reducing their hours or closing completely.”
Many landlords say the move also ignores a major shift in drinking habits since the pandemic, with customers visiting earlier in the evening instead of staying out late.
Phil Thorley, of Thorley Taverns, told the Telegraph :
“For a vast majority, people are drinking earlier, not later. Six pm drinking is the new 9pm since Covid.”
Mr Todd added that pubs have no desire to stay open into the small hours when no customers are around.
He said:
“If Keir Starmer took a couple of evenings out of his working week to swing by a selection of pubs mid to late evening mid week, you’ll see the reality of what is happening — there’s nobody there other than the staff waiting to see customers.”
In response, a government spokesman insisted the reforms were about “freedom and flexibility” rather than compulsion.
They said:
“Outdated licensing rules and red tape have been holding back pubs and bars for years. This is about giving landlords greater freedom and flexibility. None will be forced to open late.”
“Our review has been welcomed by [the] industry and will boost customers, making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together and grow the economy.”
The government’s four-week review will seek views from landlords, local residents and councils before any formal proposals are introduced.
But with thousands of pubs already fighting for survival, many in the industry say the Prime Minister’s late-opening plan offers little comfort, and risks being another round of warm words, not real help.
