Overview
- Executive chair Simon Emeny urged the government to adopt sector proposals and said he is frustrated by the lack of a clear plan for growth ahead of the Budget.
- Fuller’s reported first-half revenue of about £207.5–£208 million, a 6.9–7% rise, with adjusted profit before tax up 28% to £22.5 million, an interim dividend lifted to 7.85p, Christmas bookings up 16%, and a £17.2 million sale of the Mad Hatter hotel.
- The company said last year’s increase in employer National Insurance has added £8 million to its annual costs.
- Insolvency appointments in pubs and bars reached 449 in the first 10 months of 2025, the highest level in more than two decades, reflecting sustained financial strain across the sector.
- UKHospitality cited heavy Covid-era debts and higher business costs in calls to cut business rates, fix National Insurance and reduce VAT, while Wetherspoon signaled a more cautious outlook as rising labor costs widen the price gap with supermarkets.