Tonight, fans will gather again to watch England face Argentina in the semi-finals to cheer every tackle, celebrate every goal and share the unforgettable moments in one of Britain’s most important community spaces.
But if you imagine that publicans can now sit back and wallow in the success of the past few weeks, having earned enough to tide them over until the next boost comes at Christmas, you’d be sorely mistaken.
While this World Cup uplift has been a wonderful fillip for the sector, the reality is that the average pub makes just 12p profit on a £5 pint.
We cannot mistake this moment of celebration - which happens every four years - for long-term security.
Not a demand issue
In the first three months of this year alone, 161 pubs closed their doors across Britain - almost two every day.
At the same time, British beer drinkers pay some of the highest beer duty of any nation competing in the World Cup - 54p on a pint compared to 4.8p in Spain, 4.9p in Argentina and 19p in recently departed France.
The issue is not demand. As we have seen in this World Cup - and hot weather - Brits’ love of pubs is stronger than ever. The challenge is relentless financial pressure.
Publicans are grappling with higher employment costs, rising energy bills, and a tax burden that leaves little room to invest. For brewers alone, EPR is expected to cost around £124m in its first year, rising to an estimated £350m by 2028.
The pub sector needs fundamental business rates reform, which is why we warmly welcome Andy Burnham’s commitment to reduce business rates bills for pubs by a further 20%.
Fair environment needed
It is a clear recognition of the vital role pubs play in our economy and communities, and a positive step towards easing the pressures facing the sector.
Now is the time to go further by delivering permanent business rates reform with a meaningful draught beer duty discount and a roadmap to reduce the UK’s beer duty burden towards the European average, helping pubs remain competitive while supporting jobs, communities and economic growth.
Pubs contribute more than £34bn to the UK economy every year, support more than 1m jobs and generate billions in tax revenue. And let us not forget another enormous contribution pubs make - up to £30bn a year in wellbeing value from socialising together in the local.
So pubs are not asking for special treatment - only a fair operating environment that allows them to thrive.
As England chases World Cup glory, let’s celebrate our pubs for bringing communities together. Then let’s give them the long-term support they need to ensure they’re still here for the next tournament.
