THE owners of a popular Bradford district pub say they are facing a £10,000 rise in costs following the recent Autumn budget announcement.
The Junction pub, on Baildon Road, was taken over by Beth and Nathan High almost two years ago.
The couple earned the title of CAMRA’s Pub of the Season in autumn 2024 and Bradford Outer Pub of the Year in 2025.
Earlier this year, the Junction made the top 10 of The Telegraph & Argus’ Best Pub 2025 contest.
But the real-ale venue is now calling for “meaningful Government support” after the budget left them feeling like the future of hospitality is “increasingly bleak”.
In response, a spokesperson for HM Treasury said its £4.3 billion support package has been created to “protect pubs, restaurants and cafes”.
The treasury said where businesses, including those in hospitality, see increases in their valuations - following the independent assessment by the Valuation Office - the Government will cap their bills.
“But recent Government budget changes have pushed our costs up by around £10,000 a year, and this isn’t just happening to us. Everyone in hospitality is suffering.
The couple posted about their fears for the hospitality industry on the pub’s Facebook page.
In a statement on Facebook, Beth and Nathan said: “We’ve taken some time since the budget announcement to fully understand how the changes will affect us – both as individuals and as a business. Sadly, the outlook is tough. We’re facing annual increases of around £10,000, and that’s before the expected rise in beer prices as breweries pass on their own costs.
“We don’t want to get political, but the future is looking increasingly bleak for hospitality. We’re a busy little pub – you can look around on a weekend and think, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ and it truly is.
“But behind the scenes, we’re being penalised by huge outgoings: VAT, NI contributions, business rates, and a long list of other fees that build up faster than any small business can manage. The reality is becoming unsustainable, and like so many others in this industry, we’re being pushed into incredibly difficult decisions.
“We also want to say how grateful we are to have been given the opportunity to turn this beautiful pub around and put it back on the map.
“Winning Pub of the Season (Autumn 2024) and Outer Pub of the Year 2025 has been an incredible achievement for us – something we’ll always be immensely proud of. None of it would have been possible without your support.
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll need to adjust our pricing and our opening hours—not out of greed, but out of necessity. These changes are about survival.
“We know the weather is getting cold and miserable, but this winter your locals need your support now more than ever. We appreciate every one of you, and our brilliant team. We know times are tough for everyone. We understand that drinking at home can be cheaper—we don’t blame anyone for feeling that way. But a pub is more than the price of a pint. It’s community. It’s connection. It’s a safe, welcoming space to socialise, unwind, and belong. And it’s where so many young people take their first steps into working life.
“Hospitality is worth protecting.
“That’s why meaningful change is urgently needed.
“Seeing pubs close their doors because they can’t stay afloat is heartbreaking, and we’re determined not to become another statistic.
“We’ve absorbed rising costs for as long as we possibly could, but we’ve reached the point where that’s no longer possible.
“We love what we do. We love this community. And we want to still be here in April. Supporting your local truly does make a difference – even one pint can mean the world.
“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your loyalty, your kindness, and your continued support and for the best nearly two years.”
