Image source, James GrahamImage caption, James Graham says he relies on the help of his family to run his pub in Port Talbot ByLucy VladevBBC Wales Published17 January 2026 As the director of his pub in Port Talbot, James Graham has to resort to asking his children to work shifts as he cannot afford to pay for staff. His financial struggles are not unique, with anxious pub owners across Wales worried upcoming changes to business rates could see thousands of pounds added to their bills. While the UK government is planning a climbdown to the adjustment in business rates set to come into place in England in April, there are calls by trade bodies for the Welsh government to do the same. A Welsh government spokesperson said it already provided "substantial rates relief", and that over a quarter of pubs in Wales will pay no rates next year. Government to water down business rate rise for pubs Published8 January
Published: January 17, 2026 4:22 pm
Source: BBC — Read original