Heston Blumenthal: The pub is a cultural icon and should be protected

Heston Blumenthal has urged the government and other operators to take action to halt the closure of thousands of British pubs.

The chef, who owns the Michelin-starred Hinds Head pub in Bray, is calling for hospitality VAT to be permanently cut from 20% to help struggling businesses.

It comes after government data showed that 209 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses in the first half of 2025, equivalent to an average of eight closures per week.

Blumenthal said: “Saving the great British pub is about more than nostalgia – it is about preserving spaces that bring people together, support local economies and keep traditions alive. Pubs are at the heart of Britain’s social fabric, offering far more than just a place to buy a pint.”

The chef bought the Hinds Head on the same road as his three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck restaurant in 2004. The pub has become known for its dishes such as triple cooked chips, soft-yolk scotch egg and the wobbly Quaking Pudding and has held a Michelin star since 2013.

It has recently seen a 20% increase in bookings and footfall following the launch of initiatives including music nights, wine tastings, free ice cream for children, a Christmas feast and extending its opening hours.

Blumenthal is also urging other publicans to do more to make customers aware of the issues facing pubs and develop their own initiatives to encourage people to support their local.

Around two hospitality venues a day permanently closed in the first half of 2025, according to the Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners, leaving the sector with under 100,000 remaining premises at the end of June.

Blumenthal said: “The pub is a cultural icon, a national treasure and must be protected. When a pub closes, it’s not just a business lost; it’s a piece of local heritage and of course somewhere to enjoy a drink and delicious food with great company.”

The chef is also behind the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London and the one-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Dubai.