As you step into the Spread Eagle located in Wandsworth, its dire situation isn’t immediately apparent.
Despite outward appearances of a charming establishment, the pub exudes a welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly, the Guinness is top-notch, and the premises are impeccably clean. Even on a Thursday evening in January, the pub is bustling with patrons, with a sandwich board outside hinting at upcoming Six Nations fixtures to lift spirits during the winter season.
The Spread Eagle caters to a diverse crowd, accommodating various preferences. During a recent visit, the clientele included a man engrossed in a book enjoying a classic pub meal, two mothers with their children, and a group of marketers deep in discussion about their second-quarter strategies.
While relatively calm on a Thursday night, it’s easy to imagine the Spread Eagle transforming into a lively hub on a Saturday evening, especially when the rugby enthusiasts flock in. The pub even offers 21 uniquely decorated rooms upstairs for guests seeking an eclectic stay.
Despite its outward appeal, the Spread Eagle faces significant challenges. According to a recent study, it has been identified as the most affected pub in all of London. This unfortunate distinction was bestowed upon it by Ben Guerin, a digital communications expert and coder behind ismypubf***ed.com.
Ben shared, “My friends and I were discussing where to go for a drink, focusing on places impacted by recent changes. Drawing from my own business experiences, I conceived the idea on a Thursday morning and had the website live by 7 p.m. By analyzing data from 2023 and 2026, we found that out of over 42,000 pubs examined, 12% were severely impacted, with their taxes doubling or more during the period.”
The Spread Eagle’s financial woes stem primarily from a staggering 622% increase in its rateable value, soaring from £16,750 in 2023 to £121,000 this year. This spike translates to an 833% surge in its annual tax bill, now standing at £46,452, as per publicly available data scrutinized by Ben.
While the Spread Eagle bears the brunt of the tax burden in London percentage-wise, it is part of a larger cohort of 5,000 pubs nationwide facing a doubling of property taxes. Recent reports indicate that 13% of pubs, totaling 5,100 establishments, have experienced a 100% rise in their rateable values, exacerbating their financial strain.
The gloomy financial outlook for many pubs is alarming. UK Hospitality warns that without support, more than 2,000 venues could close this year, surpassing the 378 closures in 2025. The British Beer and Pub Association fears that pubs will need to sell an extra 1.3 billion pints of beer annually to offset the escalating taxes.
For Ben, a longstanding resident of the UK, the precarious state of British pubs is disheartening. He expressed, “Pubs are integral to local communities, embodying the charm and heritage of the UK. It’s saddening to witness the closure of so many in recent years, diminishing the social fabric.”
Following intense advocacy from pub advocates, Labour appears poised to backtrack on rate increases and extend support to struggling pubs facing a slew of cost escalations. The government is set to unveil modifications to business rates calculations for pubs shortly, aiming to cushion the impact of abrupt hikes post-Budget.
Treasury officials have acknowledged the unintended consequences of the business rates overhaul, which disproportionately burdened local pubs despite a nominal 5p cut for the hospitality sector. The reassessment of rateable values post-pandemic has left many pubs grappling with substantially higher bills, prompting industry-wide concerns.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, lauded the government’s decision to revisit business rates increases, hailing it as a lifeline for pubs nationwide. The collaboration between the BBPA and government aims to deliver on commitments to reduce pub bills and alleviate financial pressures.
Young’s Brewery declined to provide a comment on the matter.