LANDLORDS of a Monmouth pub have criticised the government’s plans for licensing reforms, saying it will likely have no benefit to pubs in the area.

Mark and Clair Beard of The Robin Hood in Monnow Street, Monmouth explained that while extended licensing might help some pubs in major cities, pubs in rural areas will not benefit, and the government should look at other ways they can help the industry.

Under the new plans, pubs and bars in England and Wales could see extended opening hours, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer claiming the review is about "cutting red tape" and "boosting footfall" to support economic growth. However, this sentiment is not echoed by many people within the hospitality industry.

Clair explained: “If we extend our hours, then it still comes down to electric, gas, all the overheads, and staffing. So it’s not necessarily going to benefit us. A reduction in VAT would be much better.

“Not many people in Monmouth want to be in a pub after eleven o’clock at night anyway. So we’d just be sitting here with the doors open, no customers but still paying electricity, gas, and paying for staffing.”

Mark added that the government could help landlords by reducing business rates instead of looking to increase opening hours.

Mark said: “If given the choice between extended hours or a reduction in VAT or business rates, then we choose the reduction 100 per cent. At the moment, by the time you’ve earned money, it’s coming out the other end.

“I dare say it’s the same for all pubs around here. When you’re paying such a high rate of VAT, the high business rates and even the electricity which is sky high, it hits the pubs in Monmouth hard, it’s a struggle.”

Clair added: “It’s not just us, it’s our staff too. It’s their livelihoods. They have to run houses and families. It’s the same principle - if we go, they go.

“If we have to pay out so much in VAT and business rates, then we may have to cut staff hours down.”

The Monmouthshire-based landlords also said that if VAT and business rates were reduced, it could have a positive knock-on effect to the customer as prices may be reduced - which could improve footfall in pubs more than extended licensing hours would.

Mark and Clair also alluded to the potential problems that a late night bar could have, including antisocial behaviour - leading to a police presence or possibly a visit to A&E, which comes at a cost to the taxpayer.

Clair said: “Luckily, we don’t have that issue of drunken people having fights - but we don’t open very late at night. But I think you run that risk by opening later, as you see in the cities, which has a knock-on effect on the NHS and police.”

Mark summed up the plans saying they will not make extra money for their pub, and will only please a small number of business owners.