Nigel Farage has suggested the reason politicians are “desperate to close pubs” following a row over a landlord’s black cab service. The Reform leader was speaking after Ashford Borough Council had made the decision to halt a charitable taxi service operated by Paul Hartfield, landlord of the Flying Horse in Smarden.Industry body UKHospitality has cautioned that typical pubs face a 15 per cent surge in their rates bills during 2026, translating to an additional £7,000 annually by 2028-29. Data from the Campaign for Real Ale, analysed by The Telegraph, reveals that 212 pubs have announced they are shutting their doors since the beginning of 2026.
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This equates to an average of four establishments per day ceasing operations, despite relief measures unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in January.Figures from last year suggested every region of England and Wales recorded a net loss of pubs during 2025, with the largest declines seen in the East Midlands, the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber.Nigel Farage said: “There is too much free speech, common sense and goodwill in our pubs. That’s why the political class are desperate to close them down.”Labour has recently confirmed a support package of business rate relief for pubs, as the hospitality industry weathers a storm of rising operating costs and declining footfall.Every pub in England will get 15 per cent off its new business rates bill from April, with their bills frozen for two years. This will be worth £1,650 for the average pub next year and will mean around three-quarters of pubs will see their bills stay the same, or fall, next year.Mr Hartfield had been transporting patrons home since November, requesting only voluntary donations to the Motor Neurone Disease Association rather than charging fares. The council intervened on Friday after local media coverage brought the initiative to officials’ attention. The scheme had already helped approximately 100 customers reach their homes safely since the landlord launched it in November 2025.Mr Hartfield, who previously owned a black cab garage, purchased the vehicle specifically for the pub after taking over from his daughter Natasha. LATEST DEVELOPMENTSPlan to convert much-loved pub into four homes sparks furious backlash in tiny English villageKeir Starmer launches ‘devastating’ new attack on pubs leaving thousands on brink of closureCouncil blocks pub owner from giving customers free cab rides home – despite charitable causeWhen diners telephoned to reserve a table at the historic establishment, which dates back to 1790, he would offer them a lift home in exchange for a charitable contribution.The initiative raised £700 for the MND Association in December alone, with Mr Hartfield selecting the charity because one of his regulars had received a diagnosis of the condition.”It is just like a friend giving another friend a lift home,” the publican explained. He told The Telegraph: “It’s mean-spirited that we are doing this for charity and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do, to be honest.”Regular customer Paul Upton, a 55-year-old insurance consultant who has frequented the pub for two decades, branded the intervention “utterly ridiculous”.”It is just bizarre, it’s complete nonsense,” he said, describing the council’s stance as “pure jobsworth nonsense”.Ashford Borough Council stated it was in discussions with Mr Hartfield.
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