December 11th, 2025.



James MacCleary, MP for the Lewes constituency, today challenged ministers directly in the House of Commons over the growing financial pressures facing small hospitality businesses – and secured a commitment from the Business Minister to meet with him and local employers.

Addressing the chamber, the Liberal Democrat MP warned that pubs, cafés, restaurants and small independent venues across his constituency are being pushed to breaking point by a perfect storm of rising costs and shrinking margins.

MacCleary highlighted the concerns brought to him by a local restaurateur in Alfriston at a recent advice surgery, he also referenced a similar conversation with the landlords of the Elephant and Castle pub in Lewes, who described the same pressures hitting the sector hard.

The exchange in Parliament marks clear progress for businesses in the Lewes constituency, with the Minister agreeing to meet with MacCleary and local hospitality businesses to hear directly about the situation they are facing.

James MacCleary, MP for Lewes, Polegate, Seaford, Newhaven and surrounding local villages, said: “This is an important step forward in our fight to support the brilliant small hospitality businesses that keep our towns and villages thriving. From East Dean to Plumpton, I’m hearing the same message again and again: costs are spiralling and the government simply isn’t keeping up.

“Local restaurateurs, pub landlords and independent business owners are telling me that the combination of higher NI, ever-rising energy bills, rent pressures and eye-watering business rates is making it harder and harder just to stay open. These firms are at the heart of our communities – they provide jobs, character and economic growth. They deserve better.

“I’m glad the Minister has agreed to meet. I’ll be taking local business owners with me so she can hear first-hand how government decisions are squeezing them dry. What they need now isn’t warm words but meaningful action on costs and a system that helps them succeed, not one that pushes them to the brink.”