FARMER’S Boy Inn owner Phil Kiernan, who runs the rural pub on the Herefordshire / Gloucestershire border, was one of the first pub landlords to react to the increase in business rates, stating that he faces an unsustainable 108 per cent increase in the building’s rateable value.

Mr Kiernan issued a formal warning that the pub on the A40 between Ross and Longhope may be forced to close its doors if the unprecedented rise in business rates remains.

And following reports last week that Chancellor, Rachel Reeves was making a potential U-turn on these planned dramatic rises in business rates for hospitality sector, Mr Kiernen said that the situation now amounted to one of ‘chaos’.

Mr Kiernan added that the chancellor had better reverse the policy as rumoured, but stated that he was not getting too excited about it and added: "I don't think this is the end of it, given the decimation of our industry.

“The Government promised that they wouldn't touch business rates in the last budget but it did.

The Forest (of Dean) Economic Partnership said that despite recent news of a potential U-turn from the government, there was still a great deal of concern across the hospitality sector, with further pressures such as the impending beer duty increases.

The partnership’s chairman Nicola Bird said: "It's important we recognise just how significant tourism and hospitality are to the Forest of Dean economy.

“They represent one of our strongest growth opportunities, given our unique setting, but if hospitality businesses start to fail, the knock-on effect on jobs, supply chains and town centres will be felt across the wider economy.

"The message should be clear: this is about standing together, sharing concerns, and uniting as one voice to protect a sector that underpins so much of the localised economy."

The Farmer’s Boy Inn is hosting a forum today, January 14, with other local publicans to discuss how they take on Westminster.