Fuller’s pubs warns over £2m rates hit

THE boss of Fuller, Smith & Turner has warned that rising business rates are piling pressure on the pub chain as it faces forking out an extra £2m next year.

Simon Emeny, chief executive, said a ‘toxic combination’ of higher business rates, an increase in the National Living Wage, the Government’s apprenticeship levy and weakening of the pound meant the firm will enter 2018 wary about the economy.

He said: ‘I cannot remember a time when we have faced such an array of additional cost pressures, starting with the 26pc rise in business rates.’

He said the rise would cost the London Pride brewer £2m next year. Emeny also criticised the failure to provide clear information on rights for non-British workers post-Brexit.

He said: ‘The Government still haven’t explained what’s going to happen to non-Brits once the UK leaves the EU, which is a big uncertainty as the pub industry relies heavily on these workers.’

Profits grew 4pc in the six months to the end of September to £23.8m. Revenue increased by 6pc to £209.3m.