The chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Sir Tim Martin, has called for a reduction in the business rates multiplier for pubs to 28 pence.
Martin urged operators across the sector to unite behind what he described as a straightforward approach, arguing that more complex proposals risk confusion and higher implementation costs.
“Currently, business rates are assessed on the fair maintainable trade of a hypothetical tenant occupying the property, to which a multiplier is applied,” detailed Martin. “The multiplier is currently 43 pence in the pound, and many in the pub industry, including Greene King, have campaigned for a reduction to 28 pence.”
He added that “almost everyone” agrees that pubs are overtaxed, explaining that a reduction of the multiplier has the massive advantage of being easy to understand and easy to implement – providing “a bona fide cash benefit” to pubs.
“Wetherspoon believes the pub trade should get behind two tax campaigns,” he concluded. “One is that pubs and supermarkets should be treated equally for the purposes of VAT, and the other is that the business rates multiplier should be reduced to 28 pence.”
Originally published on Coinslot on April 6, 2026. Republished with permission.