MasterChef Star William Sitwell Describes Taking Over Somerset Pub as 'Hell' Saturday, December 13, 2025 williamsitwell masterchef somerset pub businessrates hospitality renovation challenges governmentsupport foodindustry William Sitwell, the MasterChef star and recently appointed owner of The White Hart Hotel in Wiveslicombe, Somerset, has openly described his experience of taking over the pub as “hell.” Despite reopening the … Read More
Bath MP Urges Emergency VAT Cut as Local Businesses Struggle Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis Friday, November 14, 2025 vat bath hospitality costofliving smallbusiness economy liberaldemocrats taxation businessrates energybills Bath’s MP, Wera Hobhouse, has called for an emergency reduction in VAT to support local businesses severely impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The Liberal Democrat representative advocates for an immediate 5% VAT … Read More
Pub Trade Faces Struggle as North Somerset Loses a Pub Every Two Weeks Wednesday, October 22, 2025 pubs hospitality northsomerset licensedpremises community drinkinghabits nightlife businessrates seaside licensing North Somerset is witnessing a sharp decline in its licensed premises, with one closing approximately every fortnight, as pubs grapple with significant challenges to remain open. According to North Somerset Council’s mid-year … Read More
Warning: Hundreds of South West Pubs Face Closure in 2026 Without Government Action Tuesday, September 30, 2025 pubs businessrates closures economy jobs bbpa government southwest taxation hospitality The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has issued a stark warning that approximately 309 pubs in the South West—representing around 1,788 jobs—could shut their doors next year unless urgent government intervention … Read More
‘Lethal cocktail’ threatens Somerset pubs as urgent warning issued Sunday, September 7, 2025 pubs hospitality businessrates nationalinsurance community somerset jobs taxation government southwest The government faces mounting pressure to reconsider a series of policies that critics say are devastating pubs and restaurants across the South West. Hospitality businesses—including pubs, hotels, and restaurants—are calling … Read More
Council Bailiffs Erroneously Seize Nearly £1,000 from Wrong Business Wednesday, September 3, 2025 bailiffs compensation council businessrates enforcement ombudsman northsomerset mistakes debtrecovery financialdamage North Somerset Council has been compelled to pay compensation after mistakenly instructing bailiffs to collect £928.95 from the wrong business. In July 2024, bailiffs arrived at the premises of a company identified only as … Read More