Half of operators broke even over summer.

A survey conducted by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) found that nearly half of operators in the UK broke even over the summer, while a quarter experienced losses. Despite positive trading, high costs have hindered profitability, with only one in four operators making a clear profit. Rising costs, including energy, staffing, and food and drink expenses, are impacting operators' ability to thrive. The BII CEO highlighted the disproportionate tax burden faced by pubs compared to other small businesses and larger companies. The survey also revealed concerns about potential smoking bans in outside areas, with 62% of respondents stating it would significantly impact their trade and 20% saying it would result in the closure of their pub. The BII is calling for support from the government, including a reduction in VAT on all pub sales and continued business rates relief. [Extracted from the article]