HOW WE KNOW
YOUR PUB IS FUCKED
THE DATA
We use official data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), the government body responsible for business rates in England and Wales.
Specifically, we compare the 2023 Rating List (current rates) with the 2026 Draft Rating List (proposed new rates).
We filter for properties with SCAT codes 226 & 227 (Public Houses), 062 (Inns), and 303 (Wine Bars), then join the datasets using the UARN (Unique Address Reference Number).
WHAT ABOUT THE U-TURN?
On 8 January 2026, the government signalled it would announce additional relief for pubs facing steep rate increases. That's good news.
But here's the thing: business rates are just one pressure pubs are facing. They're also dealing with:
- Rising wages (National Living Wage up again)
- Higher employer National Insurance
- Increased alcohol duty
- Energy costs still elevated
- Customers spending less per visit
This tool exists to shine a light on what pubs are up against — and to help you find one near you that could use your support.
The data currently shows what pubs face before any new relief. We'll update when details are announced.
THE FUCKED PUB INDEX (FPI)
The FPI is a score from 0-100 that measures how badly a pub is affected by the rate changes. Higher scores mean the pub is more “fucked”.
SEVERITY LEVELS
| % Change | FPI Range | Status |
|---|---|---|
| <10% | 0-10 | Somehow Fine |
| 10-50% | 10-30 | Feeling It |
| 50-100% | 30-60 | Struggling |
| 100-200% | 60-90 | Fucked |
| >200% | 90-100 | Absolutely Fucked |
IMPORTANT CAVEATS
- This is the draft list. Final rates may differ after the consultation period.
- Rateable value ≠ actual rates bill. The actual bill depends on the multiplier, reliefs, and transitional arrangements.
- Some pubs may be missing. We match VOA data with OpenStreetMap to get pub names and coordinates. Not all pubs have complete data.
- England & Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rating systems.
DATA SOURCES
- VOA Rating List Downloads
- OpenStreetMap (for pub names and locations)
- Postcodes.io (for geocoding)
- Oxford Partnership Market Watch (for industry-wide statistics)
WHO MADE THIS
Built by @bjhguerin in a fit of data-driven rage about the state of British pubs.
This is not affiliated with or endorsed by the VOA, HMRC, or any government body. It's just a bloke with a spreadsheet and a love of pubs.
WANT TO HELP?
The best thing you can do is go to your local pub. Buy a pint. Have a chat. Support them while they still exist.
If you want to share this site, use the hashtag #IsMyPubFucked.