Latest news with #JonathanPrice
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'No secret' Price is searching for Derby investment
Derby County owner David Clowes' search for new investment has resulted in him working with the man who helped broker his takeover of the Price - founder of Union Rights Management, a company which promotes itself as a sales advisory service for sports business owners - earned £100,000 from the part he played in Clowes taking the club out of administration in the summer of initially worked with Derby's previous owner Mel Morris, who put the club into administration, when he was searching for financial own search for fresh investment, which has been going on for a year, has resulted in Price being involved in board Price's continued presence at Derby was first raised, in late 2023, BBC Radio Derby reported, external that he was there without any attachment to former owner chief executive Stephen Pearce insisted Price is working only in an advisory role and does not influence how the club challenged by BBC Radio Derby about Price reportedly having a say in the decision to sack head coach Paul Warne in February, Pearce replied: "That's absolutely not true."Pearce added: "He has no operational or decision-making power in terms of day-to-day on the football club."Jonathan Price is just an adviser to David and there are no secrets. It's not a mystery figure."Jonathan works for David in terms of (being) his representative in those investment discussions." Pearce said Price has been entrusted by Clowes to lead the search for investors and is "having conversations" with potential financers."I introduced Jonathan initially to Mel when he was struggling in terms of investors," said Pearce. "And Jonathan was the one that effectively got David to the table and managed to sell the football club to David after initially getting him to buy the stadium."So there is no myth or secret. And because of the work he did, and the relationship he built with David, he has continued to represent him in investment discussions that David has had since then."Obviously he has to be across issues that are ongoing and has to be involved to know what's going on because he is that lead person having conversations with investors."
Buzz Feed
19-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
30 Walmart Products You'll Be Proud You Bought
Hefty ultra-strong garbage bags you're already eyeing because of the cute pink hue they come in. But, you aren't just getting them for the looks, these bags also smell AMAZING thanks to the *fresh and fruity* watermelon Fabuloso scent. You'll actually look forward to taking out the trash just to get another whiff. Price: $8.97 A smart pill organizer, a splurge-worthy option for anyone whose routine includes taking a large amount of medication or anyone who has trouble remembering that they have medication to take (me, too 🙋🏽♀️). This automatically dispenses the right pills at the right time *and* you can set up to six alarms to remind you throughout the day. You can set this up on the app or directly on the dispenser. If your life has added a new wave of supplements, this will help you stay on track. Promising review: "Works exactly as advertised. Mother has Alzheimer's and was missing doses about half the time. Now she doesn't miss any. Loading information needs to be clearer, but machine is great so far." —JonathanPrice: $149.88 A pack of Stasher reusable silicone snack bags for a stylish and eco-friendly way to store your snacks. You can use them for your lunch or put them in the fridge to separate your favorite fruits or cheeses. You can also use them to store your toiletries for travel. Promising review: "These are a wonderful alternative to plastic bags. I cut up vegetables and place them in the freezer to use in soups." —NancyPrice: $26.99 (available in other quantities) A Ninja Crispi — my personal kitchen helper that's helped me cook at home more and more. How can you not cook at home when this nifty and compact device makes it so easy? It has four settings that allow you to make small or family-sized meals. It comes with a handy booklet with recipes and guides on settings for your favorite meals (it even has one for frozen hashbrowns, my personal fave). And when you're done cooking, the glass cooking dish is also your storage container *with* a lid. Promising review: "I love this little machine. It replaces my big Ninja air fryer, and does so much more. It fries, but also cooks, keeping foods moist and juicy. I have cooked several things in it, and will continue to add more. Small, quiet, and fast; that's a great combination!" —SherryPrice: $149 (available in three colors) A 12-month budget planner to help you manage your finances. This planner does come with a calendar, but it also comes with so much more. Through money-focused sheets, this planner helps you track your expenses, savings, bills, and set financial goals. It comes with 176 stickers to make budgeting fun! The planner includes a handy pen holder and an inner pocket for storing important receipts or review: "Love this budget planner. I have to put myself on a budget, and this is helping. Only had it for a few days, and I'm learning how to save, and I'm so glad I bought this." —AshleyPrice: $15.99+ (available in three colors) A spray bottle of E.l.f. Skin Suntouchable because you need to reapply your SPF every two hours, and this helps you do just that *without* ruining your makeup. It's kinda boss. Also, it acts as a setting spray, so each spritz not only protects you from the sun's rays, but it also protects your makeup from the sun's heat, so it doesn't melt off. Promising review: "I participate in an outdoor sport later in the afternoon, and I was concerned that the sunscreen I'd applied in the morning wasn't providing me any protection later in the day when I most needed it. Cue the E.l.f. sunscreen spray! I just give myself a few spritzes before heading out to my sport, and my face is more protected from the late-day rays. This definitely does not take the place of cream sunscreen, but it's a great option for renewed protection when you already have a full face of makeup." —AnnePrice: $14 (originally $16.99) A flying insect trap that'll lure and trap flies, fruit flies, moths, mosquitoes, and gnats. Plus, it does double duty as a nice night-light, too. In a matter of hours, you'll see those flying pests get trapped one after the other. Promising review: "I wasn't sure I would like this thing, but I just LOVE IT! I plan on getting a second one for the other side of this house, but this one does a great job of trapping big or small flying insects that come near it. It is hard to pull the clear covering off of the sticky portion, but I'm very old with weak hands and it took several tries to get it off, BUT it is FULLY WORTH the effort!!!" —GeraldinePrice: $14.48 (also available in a four-pack) A pack of pimple patches because these on-the-go pimple fighters can work on your pimples while you break through the rest of your busy day (or even better, while you sleep). When you see that pimple come to a head, place this patch on top for a *no pop* solution. Promising review: "I HIGHLY recommend these, you can barely see them on the skin and they actually do work. I use them at night, and the next morning, they basically make any blemish either disappear or way less red/noticeable! I also have extremely sensitive skin (rosacea and psoriasis), and it does not irritate my face at all! 10/10" —DestinyPrice: $10.98 for 27 patches Billie Women's Moonbeam Razor Kit, my go-to razor for the last three years. When you feel like getting silky smooth, this is the razor you want. It has five ultra-sharp blades that glide over the skin thanks to the built-in aloe shave bar. You'll get a smooth, irritation-free glide each time. Plus, it comes with a magnetic holder that keeps it dry and rust-free. The glow-in-the-dark handle? Just a little extra razzle-dazzle. Promising review: "Absolutely love this razor!! It glides smoothly and definitely gives a good close shave. I have nerve damage in one of my legs, and this glides easily over the leg without causing discomfort because I don't have to press down so hard. *Bonus is the magnetic shower hanger — two seconds to stick to the shower wall, and you're good to go. Haven't had an issue with it falling, it's a strong little bugger. Definitely recommend!!" —AmyPrice: $10.47 A power spin scrubber with an adjustable extension handle and a variety of heads that'll work hard to wipe the dirt out of every crevice in your home. It puts in the work with minimal strain on your back and neck. Promising review: "This turned out to be an amazing item. I have been using it to scrub old, greasy kitchen cabinets, bathroom walls, etc. I sprayed the walls with a foamer, then scrubbed them with the large round bristle brush. It saves so much time and energy, and it also really gets the grime off. I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking it might not be powerful enough, but it does a great job. The battery lasted about an hour, stop and go, while scrubbing bathroom walls. It charged up quickly enough, too. This was definitely a worthwhile buy." —skye63Price: $49.98 A Keurig coffee maker because you work from home and deserve to have a *break room* with all the fuel you need to get through another productive day. While you'd love to patron your local coffee shop, on the days you can't or prefer to stay home, you'll still be able to whip up a tasty cup of coffee. Promising review: "Easy, peazy, lemon squeezy. This coffee maker is great. The amount of effort to get a cup of coffee is basically just adding water to the reservoir. You choose the pod of coffee you want, put it in the bin, choose how much coffee you want, and voila, you have a steaming hot cup of coffee." —MarshaPrice: $39.97 (available in four colors) A variety pack of Eggo waffle coffee pods if you're tired of your usual flavor of coffee and want to go full nostalgia. Reviewers say the coffee actually tastes like waffles *and* the variety pack features waffle flavors that include maple, blueberry, vanilla, chocolate chip, and cinnamon toast. Promising review: "I was so excited to try these Eggo waffle–flavored coffee pods, and they did not disappoint! Each flavor has a warm, buttery waffle taste with just the right amount of sweetness. The variety pack is a fun way to switch things up, and every cup smells amazing — like fresh waffles in the morning! The coffee itself is smooth and not too overpowering, making it perfect for breakfast or a cozy treat." —jenniferPrice: $23.99+ (available in six flavors) A mold and mildew remover for a simple no-scrub way to get rid of the mold and mildew that seems to have moved in with you, refusing to leave. All you have to do is shake, apply, and wait for the magic to dissolve the stains. 🧳 Promising review: "I was skeptical, but I had to try something because the mold was getting worse in my apartment. And it's been growing for years. I could get some off, but not all of it. I just got this spray about 30 minutes ago, and I went and sprayed around the apartment. Instantly gone, even the areas I have tried to scrub. I'm amazed, and not much amazes me. I need this in stock. Most definitely worth the money." —LatashaPrice: $14.67 (originally $19.99) A Dreo pedestal fan just begging to ease your heat-stricken pain when the temp starts to rise in your room. This fan has three modes and nine speeds to change the vibes from a cool breeze to full-on arctic chill. It has 120-degree oscillation vertically *and* horizontally. If you're battling it out without the help of AC this summer, you'll be happy you have this. Promising review: "This thing is a beast! Super quiet, tiny footprint, but POWERFUL! It's like a pixie with Herculean strength! Took me five minutes to unbox and put this item together! It looks sleek, too. It has more speeds than any fan I've ever owned. I wouldn't be surprised to wake up to it making me breakfast in bed, it's that good! I freaking love this fan. 100% worth every penny, no, it's worth more! 🥰" —TorriePrice: $93.97 A hypoallergenic face and body wash with oat extract from Aveeno, perfect to get your outdoor-loving kiddo squeaky clean from head to toe without irritating or drying out their skin. Parents who used Aveeno Baby were happy to have a skin-safe body wash they could use for their big kid. Promising review: "We have always loved Aveeno. My daughter has always struggled with sensitive skin, so we have always used the Aveeno baby wash. We have been using the baby wash for the last 10 years (wellllll past the 'baby stage'), but anytime I would switch to a 'big kids' soap, she would have irritated skin. When I saw Aveeno came out with a 'kids' version, I knew we had to try it! And it has been amazing!" —JessicaPrice: $10.98 A ~fizzy~ drain cleaner so you can experience the sweet smell of lemons when you go to use the restroom, as opposed to an odor that makes you wonder if there really is a swamp person loitering under the sink. This tablet uses its fizzy power to freshen and clean your drain. Promising review: "These are a MUST. I use them in my kitchen and bathroom just to freshen up the sinks. It has a pleasant smell, but it doesn't linger too long, and it doesn't bring out any gross smells that might be hiding in the drain. I noticed that after starting to use these regularly, I didn't smell any fishy or gross smells coming from my sink anymore. I recommend these to all my friends and buy them every time I see them. I love the ones made for the washer and dishwasher, too! Plink is a favorite in my household!" —MinaPrice: $4.98 An Ergo hand gardening tool perfect for digging small holes and turning soil. The shape of the tool is ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue. Promising review: "This is a great trowel for gardening. I do try to put my tools away when not in use, and even though it gets left out sometimes, it's still in great shape! Low-cost and functional tool that helps keep the garden planted." —RebekahPrice: $8.94 A pretty gorgeous stand mixer here to rekindle your love of baking or finally working up the nerve to attempt that viral recipe for spicy queso dip. Small but mighty, this handy tool can mix up to five dozen cookies at one time. It has 12 speeds and a tilt head, which makes it easy to add ingredients between mixing. Promising review: "I love this mixer! I did a lot of research and wanted something that wouldn't break the bank but works just as well as a KitchenAid. This mixer is amazing. It's lightweight with suction to stick to the counter. It's small enough to live on my small counter and not be bulky. The color is amazing as well. I've mixed Shea butter with oils on speed eight, and it took no time to mix up properly." —AliPrice: $59 (available in seven colors) A soak-and-strain colander with a rotating colander to make washing your veggies and fruits that much easier. Now, when you tip it over, you won't lose any precious berries to the sink drain. An ideal find for draining pasta, too. Price: $9.97 A boucle storage ottoman in case you're looking for a fun and cozy option that looks like a cloud landed in the middle of your living room. It's a surprise piece of furniture. One moment, you've got your feet kicked up watching the latest episode of Severance. The next, *surprise* you're pulling out a little blanket to throw over your feet when it gets chilly. It's also great for use as a mini toy chest that'll still blend with your house vibes. Promising review: 'Such a cute, trendy ottoman! Perfect for additional seating in my small college apartment! It also works great for storage for our blankets! I will definitely be buying another color.' —SusiePrice: $49 (available in three colors) A slab of "the world's best" pumice stone that'll remove the hard callused surface skin on your feet just in time for a warm-weather vacay. 🏖️ Promising review: "This thing is magic and gave me really soft feet. My feet were so soft, I almost slipped in the shower. Would definitely buy again." —SsmithPrice: $5.72 A detangling brush you can use on both wet and dry hair — to help you actually look forward to ~wash day~. The brush has an ergonomic grip, so you can maintain your mane without your hand cramping up. It also has two-tiered teeth, which are good for getting through straight or curly hair and reducing frizz with ease. Promising review: "I struggle with dreadlocks if I do not keep up on brushing and conditioning my hair. Recently, I was sick and my hair got really tangled, this was the only thing that restored my locks to shiny untangled-ness. Highly recommend. Works great on dogs, horses, and goats, too!" —BrendaPrice: $12.97 (available in two colors) A monochrome wireless portable label maker ready to keep organization at your fingertips. Whether you're at work or reorganizing the pantry at home, this mini label printer will go where you go and stay ready for action. It's inkless, too, so no worries about running out of ink. Just a heads up that this is single-color only and uses special sticky-backed review: "My tween daughter and I both love this! We haven't run out of uses for it. She is a budding artist who also likes putting labels on everything in the fridge, and I use it for inventory for my small business. It came with paper and a charging cable. It was easy to set up and took less than five minutes to use from our iPhone. Would recommend to anyone for many uses." —SayraePrice: $24.64 (originally $28.30; available in five colors) A magnetic key holder in the shape of an adorable cloud that'll ensure you never have to wonder where your keys are. Losing things really has a way of raining on your parade. Promising review: "Just as described and very sturdy magnets. Very cute cloud design, too." —MiddleburgMommaMPrice: $10 (available in two colors) A beauty spatula to get every 👏🏽 single 👏🏽 ounce 👏🏽 of makeup out of your jar. Get the most out of your makeup budget and waste no drops. Promising review: "I have been looking for a product to help me get the last bits of my liquid makeup out, and this tool has done the job. Because of the Spatty, I've gotten over a month of extra makeup out of the jar. Already saving me money. Definitely recommend to others!" —AleeleePrice: $8.87 An eyeliner stamp that'll easily shave a good 45 minutes off your makeup routine by — brace yourself — stamping your eyeliner so that it's picture-perfect every time. No more spending all that time wiping off the mistake and trying again. Promising review: "This is the only stamp eyeliner I will ever buy. The stuff works, it stays on, and it gives the perfect wing stamp. I give it five stars, it is that good, and I've tried other ones in the past, and they do not work. I highly recommend buying this one." —DianaPrice: $5.98 A tea tree oil body wash because it's an all-natural solution that claims to help with itching, athlete's foot, yeast infections, and other skin irritations. Read more about tea tree oil: how it can help with athlete's foot from Mayo review: "This body wash does not have an overpowering fragrance; it is light and refreshing. Afterwards, I feel clean and fresh, unlike some other brands that can feel like there is a coating on my skin and would have an overwhelming fragrance cloud. I will definitely be buying this product again." —NitramkPrice: $15.27 (originally $17.47) A StopShroom from the makers of the viral TubShroom that shoppers say is equally as effective for bath lovers. Just place it over your drain and the StopShroom will *stop* the flow of water. It's great for taking baths, washing dishes, or any other activity when you don't want the water to flow down the drain. And if you already have the TubShroom, you don't have to remove it to use this device. Promising reviews: "Moved into an apartment and the shower doesn't work, and the drain won't stop. Bought this and it worked beautifully for baths! Fits over any drain like a weighted dome! Love it." —Victoria"We use the TubShroom on our tub drain when showering to make sure hair and gunk don't create a clog. The best solution we've found so far. Works great! I also like to take baths, and this goes right over the TubShroom perfectly and seals the drain easily and without any water leaks. I love that my TubShroom filter stays in and still keeps clogs away when my bath drains. I also love that it seals 100% for my bath and easily sticks into place and pulls off easily when the bath is done." —AmyPrice: $5 (originally $9.97) A pair of bed suspenders so you can get a good night's rest without having to spend precious sleepy time minutes readjusting your fitted sheet for the umpteenth time. Promising review: "A little tough to attach, in my opinion it's a two-person job, but it has held up for months! My sheet used to come up over the edge every night, and since these have been put on, I haven't had the hassle of fixing the sheet every morning, and it's WONDERFUL!" —BlakePrice: $3.97 for a pack of four A disposable Clorox toilet cleaning kit that'll make cleaning the commode simple and easy. Just take the wand, stick it on a cleaning pod, scrub scrub scrub, and then eject the pod into the trash. The kit comes with a toilet wand, a storage caddy, six disposable refills, and 10 rainforest-scented refills. Promising review: "THANK YOU, CLOROX. I was using regular toilet brushes for many years, and then I saw this disposable one. I gave it a try and NOW I AM HOOKED. I also use it on my bathtub and the tile in my shower. The old style scrubbers just were not getting things cleaned enough for new Clorox scrubbers do get things cleaned enough for me. I am now seeing some staining begin to disappear." —HelenPrice: $11.98
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Our local shuttered brewery tells the story of Labour's assault on small businesses
With the sunlight streaming into his office, Jonathan Price is doing his best to look cheerful. It's almost 20 years since he purchased Exmoor Ale, a brewery that sat at the peak of the little town of Wiveliscombe in west Somerset, just a few rolling hills away from our home. On top of the filing cabinets and on shelves are the results of his endeavours, bottles of Gold, Stag, Beast and, my favourite, original Exmoor ale, a gloriously smooth session beer. But today the steady wheel of the brewing cycle, the mashing, boiling, cooling and fermenting, is grinding to a halt. 'We've stopped brewing,' he tells me. 'The last beer is coming out of the tanks now and going into the casks.' The brewery is closing and the shutters will go up on an operation that has been in Wiveliscombe since 1979. Exmoor Ale is one of the gems of our local town, a brewing firm that hones the waters off the wilds of the moorlands of west Somerset and north Devon. I fell in love with this small town, known locally as Wivey, when we moved here some four years ago as, in spite of its small size, it held its own against the larger towns and cities of the South West maintaining a butcher's, a good pub, a restaurant, small hotel, a hardware store, a deli, a barber shop and a gun room. But many of these small businesses have struggled, fighting to stay afloat in the wake of Covid, social change and the latest threat, a Labour Government. The latter, specifically, raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions, which came into effect some four weeks ago, from 13.8 to 15 per cent. Price sent a message on Wednesday this week to his customers. 'Sadly, like many breweries, we have faced some challenging times recently due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, inflation, market changes and most recently, tax increases. This has meant we need to restructure and close the brewery.' I ask him about those tax increases. 'It's the final straw,' he replies. And indeed it's been the final straw for many other British breweries this year who similarly have had to give employees their P45s and let their vast brewing vats run dry. Recent figures from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show that there were 1,715 independent breweries at the start of 2025, compared with 1,815 in January 2024. And, reports SIBA, the drop in overall brewery numbers over the last 12 months is much higher than in recent years. According to SIBA's chief executive Andy Slee, 'The issue for small independent breweries is lack of access to market and rising costs, making it incredibly difficult to remain profitable. Indie brewers can't sell into enough of their local pubs and make enough of a profit to remain viable.' It doesn't help, of course, that their customers are disappearing as pubs continue to close at an average rate of more than 34 each month. It's indicative of the crisis in the hospitality industry. Businesses are in peril. Many – restaurants, cafes and pubs – are still paying off debts from Covid, managing an ongoing staffing crisis and grappling with surging costs. And hospitality chiefs have been begging for help. Yet what was Labour's answer to their cries, their solution to assist the UK's third largest employer, responsible for the jobs of some three million people? In last year's autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves upped employer NICs and increased the national living wage. As trade body Hospitality UK's boss Kate Nicholls put it, the policies, 'left hospitality owners with a sleepless night as they came to terms with the enormous cost they will have to bear from April onwards.' She added: 'The new cost of employing core members of staff is eye-watering – an increase of at least £2,500 [which] is far, far beyond anyone's worst case scenario.' The Government also landed £154 million of extra annual costs on brewers with what's called EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), basically additional packaging charges. This adds 5p per bottle, another little stinger for struggling pubs whose closure, The British Beer and Pub Association points out, 'last year equated to more than 4,500 job losses'. Thus Labour's policies are now reaping what they sowed. Small businesses such as Exmoor Ale must sip the last drops of their kegs and lock the doors. The Socialist robots spew out their heads-in-the-sands mantras: 'fixing foundations… championing Britain as the best place to grow a business… going further and faster to tackle barriers to investment.' Yet their actual policies, as you would expect from Marxist huggers, swell the public sector and deter entrepreneurs. 'Existing and looming eye-watering business rates and taxes undermines growth and investment which hurts local jobs, communities, and the wider economy,' James Hawkins of the Beer and Pub Association tells me. Starmer, Reeves and Co can spout their disingenuous catchphrases but what they're actually doing is putting a sign above Britain that reads, 'Closing down soon'. As Jonathan Price chats in his office, behind him is a map of Britain with pins indicating the locations of his many customers. He assures me that all is not lost. 'We're going to work with a brewer, Hog's Back, in Surrey. It's an innovative solution to keep the brand alive.' Maybe, but I'm not convinced the water of Surrey is a patch on that of Exmoor. And if I'm going to have a p--s-up in a brewery, I'd rather it was in Wivey than Guildford. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Our local shuttered brewery tells the story of Labour's assault on small businesses
With the sunlight streaming into his office, Jonathan Price is doing his best to look cheerful. It's almost 20 years since he purchased Exmoor Ale, a brewery that sat at the peak of the little town of Wiveliscombe in west Somerset, just a few rolling hills away from our home. On top of the filing cabinets and on shelves are the results of his endeavours, bottles of Gold, Stag, Beast and, my favourite, original Exmoor ale, a gloriously smooth session beer. But today the steady wheel of the brewing cycle, the mashing, boiling, cooling and fermenting, is grinding to a halt. 'We've stopped brewing,' he tells me. 'The last beer is coming out of the tanks now and going into the casks.' The brewery is closing and the shutters will go up on an operation that has been in Wiveliscombe since 1979. Exmoor Ale is one of the gems of our local town, a brewing firm that hones the waters off the wilds of the moorlands of west Somerset and north Devon. I fell in love with this small town, known locally as Wivey, when we moved here some four years ago as, in spite of its small size, it held its own against the larger towns and cities of the South West maintaining a butcher's, a good pub, a restaurant, small hotel, a hardware store, a deli, a barber shop and a gun room. But many of these small businesses have struggled, fighting to stay afloat in the wake of Covid, social change and the latest threat, a Labour Government. The latter, specifically, raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions, which came into effect some four weeks ago, from 13.8 to 15 per cent. Price sent a message on Wednesday this week to his customers. 'Sadly, like many breweries, we have faced some challenging times recently due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, inflation, market changes and most recently, tax increases. This has meant we need to restructure and close the brewery.' I ask him about those tax increases. 'It's the final straw,' he replies. And indeed it's been the final straw for many other British breweries this year who similarly have had to give employees their P45s and let their vast brewing vats run dry. Recent figures from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show that there were 1,715 independent breweries at the start of 2025, compared with 1,815 in January 2024. And, reports SIBA, the drop in overall brewery numbers over the last 12 months is much higher than in recent years. According to SIBA's chief executive Andy Slee, 'The issue for small independent breweries is lack of access to market and rising costs, making it incredibly difficult to remain profitable. Indie brewers can't sell into enough of their local pubs and make enough of a profit to remain viable.' It doesn't help, of course, that their customers are disappearing as pubs continue to close at an average rate of more than 34 each month. It's indicative of the crisis in the hospitality industry. Businesses are in peril. Many – restaurants, cafes and pubs – are still paying off debts from Covid, managing an ongoing staffing crisis and grappling with surging costs. And hospitality chiefs have been begging for help. Yet what was Labour's answer to their cries, their solution to assist the UK's third largest employer, responsible for the jobs of some three million people? In last year's autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves upped employer NICs and increased the national living wage. As trade body Hospitality UK's boss Kate Nicholls put it, the policies, 'left hospitality owners with a sleepless night as they came to terms with the enormous cost they will have to bear from April onwards.' She added: 'The new cost of employing core members of staff is eye-watering – an increase of at least £2,500 [which] is far, far beyond anyone's worst case scenario.' The Government also landed £154 million of extra annual costs on brewers with what's called EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), basically additional packaging charges. This adds 5p per bottle, another little stinger for struggling pubs whose closure, The British Beer and Pub Association points out, 'last year equated to more than 4,500 job losses'. Thus Labour's policies are now reaping what they sowed. Small businesses such as Exmoor Ale must sip the last drops of their kegs and lock the doors. The Socialist robots spew out their heads-in-the-sands mantras: ' fixing foundations … championing Britain as the best place to grow a business… going further and faster to tackle barriers to investment.' Yet their actual policies, as you would expect from Marxist huggers, swell the public sector and deter entrepreneurs. 'Existing and looming eye-watering business rates and taxes undermines growth and investment which hurts local jobs, communities, and the wider economy,' James Hawkins of the Beer and Pub Association tells me. Starmer, Reeves and Co can spout their disingenuous catchphrases but what they're actually doing is putting a sign above Britain that reads, 'Closing down soon'. As Jonathan Price chats in his office, behind him is a map of Britain with pins indicating the locations of his many customers. He assures me that all is not lost. 'We're going to work with a brewer, Hog's Back, in Surrey. It's an innovative solution to keep the brand alive.'
Metro
01-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Beloved brewery that supplies beer all over Britain to close after 40 years
One of Britain's longest-running breweries will be closing its factory after 40 years. Exmoor Ales has been supplying pints to pubs from its factory in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, since 1979. But the firm's managing director, Jonathan Price, announced this week that the company will be moving production to the Hogs Back Brewery, Surrey. Price blamed Covid, sky-high inflation and tax increases for the closure. 'This has meant we need to restructure and close the brewery,' he told the Somerset County Gazette. He added: 'Exmoor Ales has a strong following of loyal drinkers built up over more than 40 years, so we've been looking for a solution that will allow us to continue employing people locally and be in charge of our own sales and future.' Four staff members have lost their jobs in the move. The brewer's shop on Old Brewery Road will remain open, selling popular brews like Gold, Stag, Beast and Fox. The new Surrey microbrewery, some 120 miles from the original site, will use the same recipes and yeast to maintain the brand. Distribution will continue from Wiveliscombe, while the Guildford-based Hogs Back will help with national sales. While it took decades for foreign global brewers to get their bottles and cans on British pub menus, they now represent 92% of the UK beer market, Price said. These beer giants can endure many of the financial troubles that cause local breweries to fold, as well as have better access to pubs. Price isn't alone. In only a year, Britain lost 100 breweries, from 1,815 at the start of 2024 to 1,715 this January, according to the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) UK Brewery Tracker. Wiveliscombe, a town of only 2,900 people, was once a thriving brewery town. With the shutdown of Exmoor Ales and Nuttycombe this year and the Cotleigh Brewery in 2021, Black Bear Brewery is one of the last remaining Wiveliscombe breweries. Stressing that the move to Surrey is a 'partnership', not a 'takeover', Price added that it doesn't mean last orders for the brewery. 'It's a rotten day for me as the owner of the business, but we'll still be here and it isn't beyond the bounds of possibility that we might brew again in Wiveliscombe, but probably on a smaller scale,' Price said. Loyal fans of Exmoor Ales' said the booze business' closure is 'worrying'. More Trending 'So farewell @exmoorales. Another brewery bites the dust. Big Beer is really starting to flex its muscles,' posted one user on X. Another customer, Graham Brown, added: 'Lovely brewery with some cracking beers, another great loss to the industry.' Exmoor Ales, formerly the Golden Hill Brewery, is a well-known fixture of the town for its Victorian tower and chimney. It was founded by Jim Laker in 1979 before Price took the helm in 2006. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Much-loved pottery firm suddenly closes after 128 years MORE: Major store set to close 255 locations by next week – see full list MORE: Much-loved bakers to close all sites for good tomorrow
