The intriguing Victoria

@thevictoriaw2 #paddington

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#london #fullers #pub #camra #londonpride #LeicaQ3

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The delightful Victoria
@thevictoriaw2 #paddington
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#london #fullers #pub #beer #realale #camra #londonpride #pubphotography #nikonz8

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Delicious - at the Victoria
@thevictoriaw2 #paddington
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#london #fullers #paddington #pub #beer #realale #ale #camra #caskmarque #fishandchips #food #londonpride #pubphotography #fullerspub #iphone

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Doric Delight !
#fullers #pub #doricarch
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#beer #ale #realale #euston #doric #beerphotography #bar #camra #londonpride #fullerspub #caskmarque
#shotoniphone

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Swansea BID welcomes new rates relief — but CAMRA warns support still falls short for struggling pubs

The Welsh Government announced the support package on 3 February, following months of pressure from businesses, industry bodies and local leaders who warned that Welsh pubs and restaurants were being left behind compared with support available in England.

Swansea BID Manager Andrew Douglas said the move would offer “meaningful, immediate” help for venues battling rising costs.

“We welcome the Welsh Government’s decision to provide a 15% reduction in business rates for hospitality businesses,” he said.

“While the sector continues to face real cost pressures, this measure represents a necessary and targeted response, and it will provide meaningful, immediate transitional support for restaurants, pubs and live music venues across Swansea.”

Douglas said the decision followed sustained lobbying from Swansea businesses.

“This reflects the strength of the case consistently put forward on behalf of the city’s businesses. Through Swansea BID, and by working closely alongside the CBI, we have been clear about the challenges facing Swansea’s hospitality sector and the need for targeted relief. I’m pleased those representations have been listened to.”

CAMRA: “Pubs still face closure”

But the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has warned that the relief does not go far enough to protect Welsh pubs already on the brink.

CAMRA has repeatedly said that a 15% discount still leaves Welsh venues at a disadvantage compared with England, where hospitality businesses receive 75% rates relief. The group has warned that without stronger support, more pubs will shut their doors in the coming months.

In recent weeks, Swansea Bay News has reported on a string of closures and near‑misses across the region, including two much‑loved Llanelli restaurants shutting on the same day and the collapse of Swansea’s Founders & Co before a last‑minute rescue.

Sector still under pressure

Hospitality leaders say the new Welsh Government package is welcome but only a temporary fix for a sector hit by rising energy bills, higher supplier costs and fragile consumer spending.

The relief will apply from April, covering the 2025/26 financial year.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

CAMRA warns Welsh pubs still face closure despite new business rates relief
Pub campaigners say temporary support is not enough to protect venues under pressure.

Welsh Government announces new rates relief for pubs and restaurants
Ministers unveil a 15% discount following concerns over the gap with England.

Swansea councillor warns Welsh pubs risk being left behind
Local leaders say the sector needs stronger, long‑term support.

Founders & Co saved as new owner steps in after collapse
A major Swansea venue is rescued after its parent company goes under.

Swansea’s Founders & Co owner to file for administration
The city’s hospitality sector faces fresh uncertainty as another operator hits trouble.

Two much‑loved Llanelli restaurants close on the same day
Customers share heartbreak as more local venues shut their doors.

CAMRA warns Welsh pubs still face closure despite new business rates relief

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said the one‑year discount, unveiled by the Finance Secretary this afternoon, was welcome but nowhere near enough to stop more pubs shutting their doors.

The intervention comes after Swansea Bay News revealed growing anger from local councillors and business owners who warned that Welsh pubs were being left behind compared with England, where support is far more generous.

CAMRA Wales Director Chris Charters said the new relief “is only the start”, warning that many pubs will still see their bills rise sharply because of the recent rates revaluation.

“Today’s announcement that pubs will get 15% off their business rates bills is a welcome step,” he said. “However, many pubs still face big hikes in their bills due to the rates revaluation which could still lead to more of our locals in Wales being forced to close for good.”

Charters said the temporary discount does nothing to fix what he called an “unfair” system that leaves pubs struggling to compete with supermarkets and online retailers.

“Fifteen percent off for a year won’t fix the unfair business rates system our pubs are being crushed by,” he said. “Whoever forms the next Welsh Government must commit to proper reform by introducing a permanently lower business rates system for pubs.”

He warned that without long‑term change, communities will continue to lose vital social hubs that help tackle loneliness and isolation.

“Welsh publicans need a permanent solution, or doors will continue to close and communities will be shut away from these essential social hubs,” he said.

The Welsh Government’s announcement follows weeks of pressure from the hospitality sector and local politicians, including warnings that the widening gap with England’s support package was putting Welsh pubs at a competitive disadvantage.

Industry groups say the revaluation has hit many pubs particularly hard, with some facing increases of thousands of pounds even after the new discount is applied.

CAMRA’s comments add fresh pressure on ministers to commit to a full overhaul of the system, rather than short‑term sticking‑plaster measures.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Welsh Government announces new rates relief for pubs and restaurants after warnings over unfair gap with England
Ministers unveiled a 15% discount for hospitality businesses following concerns that Welsh pubs were being left behind.

Swansea councillor warns Welsh pubs risk being left behind as business rates row deepens
Local leaders said the revaluation would hit pubs hard unless the Welsh Government matched support available in England.

Doric Delight !
#fullers #pub #doricarch
🍺
#beer #ale #realale #euston #doric #pubphotography #beerphotography #bar #camra #londonpride #fullerspub #caskmarque #pride
#shotoniphone

#snap_depthoffield #snap_art #snap_london #snap_colours #snap_vip_member #snap_uk #snap_kingdom #snap_artgallery #snap_beer #snap_kitchen #snap_community #snap_community_member #snap_edit

Doric Delight !
#fullers #pub #doricarch
🍺
#beer #ale #realale #euston #doric #pubphotography #beerphotography #bar #camra #londonpride #fullerspub #caskmarque #pride
#shotoniphone

#snap_depthoffield #snap_art #snap_london #snap_colours #snap_vip_member #snap_uk #snap_kingdom #snap_artgallery #snap_beer #snap_kitchen #snap_community #snap_community_member #snap_edit

I have been keeping a list of pubs that I have had a drink in that have subsequently closed down. Last week I had to add four more pubs to my list. Two of them - both called The White Horse - have actually been demolished. On a happier note, tonight I can cross one of those names off of my list because The Ship in West Thurrock has reopened!

#PublicHouses #SaveOurPubs #CAMRA

Looks like we've given up on our usual local¹ in favour of our previous local, because I don't go to the pub to be subjected to continuous TV in every room, even when there's nothing special on.

Hoping that if Stonegate (*spit*) ever find a permanent manager for that pub, they realise that not all customers are addicted to television.

1. In reality, they're both very local, but you probably know what I mean.

#Hexham #Northumberland #CAMRA