The owner of Britain's best pub has called on the Prime Minister to deliver a "complete overhaul" of the business rates system, describing his own five-figure annual bills as "ludicrous".
George Greenaway, 58, is the owner and director of the Tamworth Tap in the West Midlands town, which was crowned Great British Pub of the Year 2026. The venue was also named the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) National Pub of the Year for a record third time.
The pub, made up of what were previously three separate centuries-old buildings, opened in an empty high street unit that once served as a tourist information centre and crafting hub eight years ago. A brewery stood on the site in 1741, meaning the property has come "full circle".
Rates burden on small businesses
Mr Greenaway said he pays "ludicrous" rates of five figures annually, adding: "That is the difference between somebody having a business they can commit to and failing." The landlord does not qualify for small business relief (SBRR).
The Government announced a 15% reduction on business rates bills for pubs and live music venues in 2026/27 in January, with bills frozen in real terms for a further two years. An additional 20% cut from 2027/28 was confirmed by the Prime Minister in July and will come on top of this existing support.
Mr Greenaway said of the policy: "Promises are great, it is actually progress, but we've got to see it. It's got to actually manifest within the accounts."
He added: "It's no good having a front man and you're still treading water and pushing all this under the carpet and not actually doing anything. We do need to see some action."
Call for reform and Budget action
Mr Greenaway asserted there needs to be a "complete overhaul of an unfair rates system" so that square footage does not play a part. He said: "I think you've got to remove the old sort of, 'Oh, it's a shop, you've got to pay so much per square foot.' I think there's got to be a complete overhaul of it, and we've got to try and work with the Valuation Office to try and save the high street."
He added that he wants to see in the Budget on Wednesday "whatever can be done to offset all of these charges that are creeping up day by day" — "something obvious that is going to provide a financial benefit, and immediate as well".
"It can't be, 'Oh are we going to look at this next March' and then nothing happens, and then there's a government change or a PM change," Mr Greenaway said. "This is something that does have to be announced next week."
Mr Greenaway highlighted that it is not just pubs facing high bills, but businesses like hotels and cafes, who "get forgotten because there's such a vocal support for the icon that is the British pub".
He also commented on the increase to employer national insurance contributions and the National Living Wage: "It's considerable. It's considerable. If it had happened 20 years ago, there would have been uproar within the industry, within government. But it just seems to be that all of the sort of stealth costs and taxes, they just have to be accepted."
