Pubs are an endangered species argues Tim Martin of Wetherspoons. And it’s not just the disparity between the taxing of supermarkets and pubs … it’s the absolute injustice that the government are taking more from a pint than the pubs themselves.

Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons, has continued to voice his concerns at the government’s economic policy accusing it of creating a “tax disparity” that is “harming businesses and high streets.”

The pub chain chief claimed that landlords are paying vastly more in tax per pint than supermarkets. 

“This tax disparity is harming businesses and high streets, but also the social fabric of the nation – where, other than pubs, can you temporarily escape the attentions of your own family?” he said with force and humour.

According to Martin, pubs can face business rates equivalent to 28p on a £5 pint, while supermarkets pay just 1.5p. He also argued that the disparity stems from supermarkets not paying VAT on food sales, whereas pubs are charged at the standard 20 percent rate.

The warning comes as the industry continues to struggle. More than 200 pubs across Britain have closed permanently in 2025, with 209 shutting through demolition or conversion in the first six months of the year.

The sector has faced a perfect storm of rising costs, including a hike in minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions jumping from 13.8 percent to 15 percent. Business rates relief has also been reduced from 60 percent to 25 percent. 

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the closures were “absolutely heartbreaking,” stressing that “pubs and brewers are important employers, drivers of economic growth, but are also really valuable to local communities across the country and have real social value.”

Government harm

Tim Martin said……. “This tax disparity is harming businesses and high streets, but also the social fabric of the nation – where, other than pubs, can you temporarily escape the attentions of your own family?…