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Alma Tavern Closes After Rising Costs, Taxes, Rates

By Drooid · Oct 7, 2026, 4:37 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Jon Dean closed The Alma Tavern in Worcester after seven years.
He blamed rising costs, utility and cost-of-living crises, higher taxes and rates for the closure.
Dean laid off about 14 employees and returned the lease to Star Pubs.
He urged the government to introduce new tax cuts for hospitality venues.
The Treasury noted a 20% business-rates cut for pubs, with PM Andy Burnham calling it a first step.

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Story summary

Jon Dean closed The Alma Tavern in Worcester after seven years.
He blamed rising costs, utility and cost-of-living crises, higher taxes and rates for the closure.
Dean laid off about 14 employees and returned the lease to Star Pubs.
He urged the government to introduce new tax cuts for hospitality venues.
The Treasury noted a 20% business-rates cut for pubs, with PM Andy Burnham calling it a first step.