Pub landlords and hospitality chiefs have dismissed Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to allow pubs to stay open later, branding the idea “a complete waste of time” amid warnings that extended trading hours will only increase costs and staffing pressures.
The Prime Minister unveiled the proposal on Wednesday as part of a fast-track review of licensing laws, aimed at boosting footfall and cutting red tape for the struggling hospitality sector. He said the move would “allow pubs to thrive” and help revitalise high streets and local economies.
“Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. Under our Plan for Change, we’re backing them to thrive,” Starmer said on Thursday.
However, publicans and trade bodies said the policy failed to address the real problems facing the industry — including Labour’s tax rises and surging operating costs.
‘It will do more harm than good’
Clive Watson, chief executive of the City Pub Company, which runs 50 pubs across Britain, called the plans “total nonsense”.
“It will increase staffing costs and staff will have to travel home late at night,” he said.
Matt Todd, owner of The Wonston Arms in Hampshire, warned that longer hours would not attract more customers.
“Allowing pubs to stay open later is a complete waste of time. It won’t drive more business,” he said.
Others suggested the changes could even reduce profitability by forcing landlords to pay for extra staff, energy, and security during quiet periods.
The criticism comes as many venues continue to struggle with Labour’s Budget tax changes, including higher National Insurance contributions and increased minimum wage costs introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has estimated that the new measures have added around £14,000 in annual costs per pub.
Steve Alton, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), said that while some late-night venues might benefit, most pubs would see no meaningful gain.
“Whilst some pubs will benefit, particularly those in the late-night sector, for the majority of our members the impact will be limited,” he said.
Sir Tim Martin, founder of JD Wetherspoon, said Labour was failing to tackle the main issues threatening the trade.
“As it stands today, most pubs are reducing their hours or closing completely,” he said.
Industry figures also pointed to a lasting post-Covid shift in consumer behaviour, with customers choosing to drink earlier in the day rather than stay out late.
Phil Thorley, of Thorley Taverns, said: “For a vast majority, people are drinking earlier, not later. Six pm drinking is the new 9pm since Covid.”
Mr Todd agreed, adding that pubs simply no longer attract late-night crowds.
“If Keir Starmer took a couple of evenings out of his working week to visit pubs midweek, he’d see the reality — there’s nobody there other than the staff waiting for customers,” he said.
A government spokesman defended the proposals, saying the aim was to give landlords flexibility rather than impose new rules.
“Outdated licensing rules and red tape have been holding back pubs and bars for years,” the spokesman said. “This is about giving landlords greater freedom. None will be forced to open late.”
Officials said the review had been “welcomed by the industry” and that it would help pubs put on more events and “bring people together” while contributing to local economic growth.
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Landlords brand Starmer’s late-night pub plan a ‘waste of time’