Wiltshire publican James May has said pubs are ‘clinging on’ as he responds to reports of a support package for the reeling sector.
The former Top Gear host, a co-owner of The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, in the south of the county, told radio station LBC that publicans are “clinging on by their fingernails” after years of business rate hikes.
Speaking with show host Nick Ferrari, he said: "We've seen a few closures.
“The margins are tiny, and one bit of old 18th-century thatch falling off, or in our case, having to resurface the gravelly car park, can be enough to push you over the edge.
“I agree with Tom Kerridge, we are supposed to be grateful for not being punched in the teeth.”
"I think we do have to stop thinking of pubs of an important part of our heritage or a vital tradition, an institution, or an essential part of being British, or any of that misty eyed stuff they have to work as pubs, they have to be nice places to go.
"The role of the pub has changed a bit. We probably had a few too many, we don't need as many as in the 1970s."
May agreed with allegations that the multiple governments' policies had left pubs in a fight for survival, but said he wanted more independence for the industry.
He continued: “I don't want government interference and I don't particularly want to see government help with these things.
“I do want them to not punch us in the face, as Tom was saying, but I don't, really look to governments for moral, financial guidance, spiritual guidance or anything like that.
“I just want them to organise the hospitals and the park benches and mend the potholes.”
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Mr May’s remarks follow reports that chancellor Rachel Reeves was planning to provide a support package for pubs that would include reduced business rates.
Welcoming the move in an appearance on the radio station, Michelin-star restaurateur Tom Kerridge said: "I am fully appreciative of the Government for listening.
"To be fair it was Peter Kyle's conversation in the first place where he presented my business rates to me. He showed me what I would be paying which meant they were looking at it in Westminster.
"It meant they were beginning to understand and possibly try and undo the wrongs that they put in place from that Budget."
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