Pub giant Greene King considers job cuts

Greene King is reportedly preparing to cut around 100 jobs across its head office and central functions as a result of tough trading conditions.

According to The Times, the pub operator is looking to restructure the business for the second time in two years amid tax rises and soaring costs.

In its previous reshuffle, the business was believed to have slashed a number of roles across its head office and field-based staff.

It comes after the pub giant posted a loss before tax of £147.1m in its latest available results, which it blamed on challenging economic and political conditions as well as non-cash goodwill and property accounting impairments.

At the time, chief executive Nick Mackenzie also said cost rises implemented in the 2024 Autumn Budget, including an increase to employer National Insurance Contributions, had changed “the fundamental economics of the pub”.

The pubs sector was the only beneficiary of the government’s business rates U-turn announced last month, securing a support package worth roughly £1,650 for the average pub.

However, many in the industry are now calling for government to bring VAT in line with Europe to ensure the long-term viability of a sector that has faced four closures a day in the final quarter of 2025.

Last week, administrators attributed the collapse of bar operator the Revel Collective to economic headwinds from the 2024 Budget, including increases to employer NIC thresholds, minimum wage and duty on spirits, which further strained liquidity and weakened performance across the group.

Greene King was founded in 1799 and operates around 2,600 pubs and employs 40,000 staff across its pubs, destination brands and ventures and brewing and brands divisions.

Greene King has declined to comment.

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