MyStar News September 2025

BUSINESS RATES CHANGE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

As part of this, the current reliefs will be replaced with a new system of ‘multipliers’ that will determine how much each pub pays from April 2026. We expect the multipliers to be announced in the Autumn Budget and that pubs will start receiving letters about their new rateable values in November. Keep an eye out for yours; don’t ignore it as you only have a limited time to query it if you think it’s too high. We will be monitoring the situation, too. We’ll alert any pubs whose rateable value looks out of kilter and will have pub valuations experts in place who you can use to make any formal challenge.There is going to be a major reform of business rates in the coming months for English and Welsh pubs, this includes the Valuation Office Agency reviewing rateable values. With all the media noise about business rates, we thought it might be helpful to highlight the key things you need to know.

The rateable value of pubs in Scotland is also being reviewed and again will change from April 2026. If you’ve got a Scottish pub, look out for your notification in November and be prepared to quickly appeal if it looks excessive. However, unlike in England and Wales, any fundamental reform of the Scottish rating system won’t happen until 2029, following an independent review next year.

We’ll update you again as the situation develops. In the meantime, rest assured that we are continuing to lobby the Government in Westminster and those in Wales and Scotland on your behalf for a fairer system of business rates.

Cheers!

Chris Moore

Property Director

MySTAR Recruitment Course Tuesday 9^th September 9.30am to 11.30am

To help licensees with the challenges of recruitment, we’re delivering four FREE virtual training courses in 2025 – worth more than £200 each – on recruitment and retention of hospitality staff.

Created with input from recruitment and pub industry experts, the content is up-to-the minute and incorporates the latest techniques and innovations. The two-hour programme includes guest speakers and Q&A sessions. The subject matter covers everything from the most effective advertising methods and what attracts staff to retaining great staff once you have them.

The course was rated 9 out of 10 by last year’s attendees, and we’ve updated it since and added new topics in line with their feedback.  Delegates will also receive a link to place one FREE job advert on HJUK (Hospitality Jobs UK) worth £90.

Our next course this year is on Tuesday 9^th September 9.30am to 11.30am, register now by clicking here or the button below.

PIZZA TAKEAWAY LINK-UP PAYS OFF

A link-up with a neighbouring pizza takeaway is increasing trade by a third on traditionally quiet Wednesday evenings at The Colinton Inn, a wet-led Edinburgh local. Licensee Amy Buchanan buys the pizzas at a discounted price of £7 for the pub’s £15 per head Pizza & a Pint Night. Customers can select any beer and, with prices ranging from £5.70 to £7.20 for a pint, the pub still makes money. Alternatively, people can opt for a small glass of wine. There is a choice of eight pizzas – including vegetarian options. When an order comes in, a staff member pops round to tell the takeaway two doors down. The pizzas are delivered in boxes that customers also use to take any leftovers home but are served by the pub on plates with cutlery. Says Amy: “It’s a win-win for us and the takeaway, which sees slower business mid-week. The pizzas are high-quality, complementing the pub. The promotion is advertised on window posters, printed menus and via social media. It’s bringing in more people and attracting new faces – such as families and large groups attending courses at the former barracks opposite.  It also boosts dwell time and wet sales, as diners always seem to have more than one drink.”

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE SPREADS JOY

A community Christmas tree decorated by local children and in aid of a good cause adds to the festive spirit at The Railway Arms in Kibworth. Operator Sam Shields runs three free arts and crafts sessions from 12pm to 2pm on Saturdays in December at which children make decorations for the tree whilst their parents enjoy a drink or meal. Adding to the excitement, Santa makes an appearance on two of the dates. 90 children – typically aged under 10 – attended in December 2024. There is also an annual appeal for customers to bring in presents for a local charity. These are placed under the tree until they are delivered. Last year over 70 gifts were brought in for children at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Explains Sam: “The community tree is a great way for the pub to give back to the local area it serves at Christmas. It’s easy to do, inexpensive and spreads joy. Everything on the tree – other than the lights – is made by the kids. The arts and crafts sessions create a lovely atmosphere and go down really well, especially as there aren’t other Christmas activities for children in the village. Our customers are very generous, and the gift appeal works brilliantly for all budgets.”

GOLDEN ENVELOPES DELIVER JANUARY SALES

Giving December diners at The Sneyd Arms in Keele a sealed gold envelope with a mystery discount inside for a January pub meal kept sales up in early 2025. Customers handed the unopened envelopes to their servers when it was time to pay to discover their saving. Every envelope contained a discount. 15% off the bill was the most common. Other prizes included 25% off, free main courses and a free round of drinks. Two customers had their entire bill written off. 400 envelopes were given out – one per group or two for large parties. 40% were returned. The mechanic was low-cost; licensee Kirsty Fradley bought the envelopes from Amazon and printed out stickers explaining the rules to go on the front and slips detailing which offer recipients had won to go inside. To reduce the chance of tampering, Kirsty drew a cross over the sealed envelope flaps. Says Kirsty: “Many hospitality venues worry about their January sales. The promotion maintained ours and helped us stand out, as it was a bit different to all the other local January offers. It also attracted people back who’d discovered the pub when attending work dos or other parties here in December. Customers loved the excitement of not knowing what they’d get. We’ll definitely repeat it.”

REMEMBRANCE DAY SUPPORT GAINS ATTENTION

The only pub in Thrybergh, The Lord Reresby has established itself as a hub by going all out to mark special occasions. Remembrance Sunday is no exception. Floodlights illuminate the pub in red and project appropriate quotes and images across the building. From 1^st November there’s a crafts table inside where children make poppies to decorate the bar. To avoid clashing with Thrybergh’s morning cenotaph ceremony, the pub honours Remembrance Sunday with an afternoon of music. Singers perform 1940s songs and more current hits to appeal to all, and free tea, coffee and biscuits are served. Every seat is taken with an extra 70 or so people of all ages attending. Although the event is not run to boost sales, trade increases 50%. In a further sign of its commitment to veterans, the pub held a sleepout in aid of a local charity that houses homeless veterans, raising £2,000. Operator Tommy Parol invites officials like MPs and councillors to all the events and gains media coverage by flagging them to journalists. Says Tommy: “We started illuminating the pub during the pandemic when people couldn’t gather. We got over 100,000 likes on social media. It’s grown from there; now people ask what we’re planning. They appreciate the pub doing its bit and providing an opportunity for the village to pay its respects.”

DISCO LOOS AMPLIFY THE FUN FACTOR

To build on her pub’s reputation as a fun place where customers can escape their everyday cares, Amanda Bithell has installed big red disco buttons in the men’s and women’s toilets at The Roebuck in Forsbrook. When customers press the button, the normal lights go out, swirling coloured discos lights come on and a random dance track plays for 10 seconds. The gimmick is proving a massive hit and putting the pub on the map. Customers post themselves dancing on their socials, spreading the word and attracting new people to The Roebuck, from a coachload of rugby fans to a passing cricket team. A staff member’s techie son and electricians who are regulars helped Amanda create the set up. It cost £1,500 but has paid for itself in increased trade. The system can hold any number of tracks, and songs can be changed via a Raspberry Pi computer. Says Amanda: “The old classics work best. Women prefer diva tracks, like Beyonce and Dolly Parton. Men like everything from Saturday Night Fever and YMCA to heavy metal. The feel-good factor is incredible – it gives everyone a laugh and talking point. Enthusiasm amongst regulars hasn’t waned in the six months we’ve had the button; whenever you walk past the loos, there’s someone in there singing and dancing.”