In the week following the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ November 2025 budget, local independent business owners in Sheffield have been reflecting on what this means for them.

They are resoundingly discouraged.

Points causing the most unsettlement are the removal of the 40% discount to business rates and the hike in alcohol duty, both changes adding to the list of pressures already intense for many local businesses in the aftermath of the global pandemic.

Hoping to see recognition of, and relief from, the many challenges presented to independently-run pubs, bars and bottle-shops, Sheffield’s local business owners have voiced their disgruntlement at what they regard as the government’s total dismissal of their plight.

The Chancellor announced business rates will be lowered, initially showing a glimmer of hope and help for businesses.

However, the scrapping of the current 40% discount ultimately renders this not only ineffective, and of little help, but actually detrimental, as some will pay even higher costs than before.

Jules Gray, owner of Hop Hideout beer shop in the City Centre’s Leah’s Yard, says she feels “lied to” by the government.

Rather than Jules’ business being aided she explained, as of April 2026, she will have to pay a tax bill “three times” higher than before.

She added: “It feels counter-intuitive at the current time when you need to create jobs, there’s just going to be more job losses and less job creation, and more businesses closing.”

She said: “It actively feels like [the government] are running us into the ground.

“There were no VAT cuts, nothing to do with business energy, it’s just completely disheartening and awful to have this news and be in this situation ahead of Christmas.”

Chris Bamford, owner of three Sheffield pubs (The Rutland Arms, The Crow Inn, and The Harlequin), also shared Jules’ sense of despair, fearing a trigger effect which may see further pubs and alcohol traders close down due to high operation costs.

He commented that, in his view, “unfortunately, a lot of businesses in a similar position to us are at risk of closing in the next year if things don’t improve.”

He appealed for Sheffield residents to support their local businesses to keep the independent spirit of the city alive.