Kesgrave Bell Landlord Views Budget and Tax Changes Impact on Pub

Debbie McCallum runs the Kesgrave Bell pub. She talked with MP Patrick Spencer on February 7. He visited during a pub support campaign. Debbie and her husband have run the pub for 25 years. They talked about the pub’s role in the community.

Debbie said they are a safe and warm space, serving as a community center as well. They run fundraisers. She said many villages lack such a place. Customer service matters most, emphasizing that making money is not the main focus.

She said pubs like hers must survive, because their loss would hurt the community. A change impacts Suffolk pubs financially. The MP says business rates will cost them about £5,000 a year. The government aims to fix a financial problem.

Debbie, who is also a county councillor, opposed the business rates change. She worries about her business a lot. This is the most concern since the smoking ban. She mentioned past challenges like recessions. Keeping her staff employed is vital to her. She wants customers to still have a place.