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Vale of White Horse Leader urges Chancellor to go further in supporting hospitality businesses 

Published 2 February 2026

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise concerns on behalf of local hospitality businesses following the Government’s recent announcement of a 15% per cent business rates discount for pubs and music venues. 

While welcoming the measure as a step in the right direction, Cllr Thomas said the focus on pubs and live music venues is too narrow and that hospitality operators across the district are still facing significant financial pressures that the discount for a limited number of businesses alone will not resolve. 

Local businesses have highlighted two major concerns: 

  • The recent increase in National Insurance contributions is discouraging the employment of part time staff – a key part of the hospitality workforce. 
  • Broader rising costs – including wages, supplies, utility bills, property revaluations and the reduction of previous business rates relief – mean that many will still see their overall expenses increase this year despite the discount. 

Nicholas Evans, the freeholder and operator of The Old Crown Coaching Inn in Faringdon, and tenant of two pubs from Greene King, The Waggon and Horses in Southmoor, and the Black Horse in Standlake, said: “The current business rates system is incredibly unfair for hospitality businesses like ours. I’m grateful for the district council’s support in putting pressure on government to do more to address these challenges.  

“We renovated the Crown from a wreck into what should be a prime asset in the Market Square in Faringdon – and our reward was to see business rates jump from £23,000 a year to £55,000 in July 2025, before the October 2025 revaluation when they rose again to nearly £59,000, with no transparency about what’s changed or how the figure is calculated! Add in the National Insurance hike, relentless wage increases, energy costs that remain significantly elevated, and the biggest killer of all – 20% VAT. We’re being pushed beyond breaking point, and it simply isn’t possible to carry on much longer without meaningful change.” 

Cllr Thomas said: “Our hospitality sector is a cornerstone of local life in market towns and rural communities like ours – economically, socially and culturally. While this announcement offers short-term relief for some venues, many businesses tell us their cost pressures are still rising. Without further support, their ability to invest, employ staff and contribute to thriving communities remains at risk.” 

The letter is available on the council’s website. 

The council will continue to work closely with local businesses to understand their needs and represent their concerns nationally.