Furious pub owners are threatening to go on strike over what they see as crippling tax hikes that could push thousands of pubs to the brink.

Plans being discussed include coordinated strike action, delayed opening hours and even symbolic protests such as ringing pub bells for several minutes straight, as the trade looks to vent its anger after the latest Budget.

Some landlords want to abandon the traditional 11am opening time in a show of defiance aimed squarely at Rachel Reeves, while others say the industry is heading towards a full-scale day of industrial action early next year.

Andy Lennox, who runs The Old Thatch in Wimborne, Dorset, said the sector was reaching breaking point and warned MPs could soon feel the consequences. He said: 'A day of industrial action is coming. This will be a rallying call for the industry.'

His comments follow fresh outrage this week after ministers confirmed plans to consult on tightening drink driving limits, a move that campaigners say would further hammer rural and community pubs. 

Nigel Farage said the proposal would sound the 'death knell for country pubs across Britain'.

The anger has been simmering since Reeves' Budget announcement, which promised permanently lower business rates for more than 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties. Many publicans argue the relief does not go far enough and will still leave them worse off.

Andy Lennox, who runs The Old Thatch in Wimborne, Dorset, said the sector was reaching breaking point

Furious pub owners are threatening to go on strike over what they see as crippling tax hikes that could push thousands of pubs to the brink (stock)

Reform leader Nigel Farage said: 'This is a death knell for country pubs across Britain. Labour has no connection to how real life works'

Tom Swarbrick was also on LBC calling for pub landlords to march on Westminster in retaliation to the legislation. 

He said: 'The situation is genuinely so serious that a nationwide UK pub day is required and landlords from pubs around the country now need to march on Westminster to make their voices heard to the Prime Minister directly.'

There has been some encouragement from the top of government, with Keir Starmer signalling this week that further help could be on the table. 

Lennox said: 'The fact the Prime Minister is looking to help shows that things are changing. We may have lost the battle but we will win the war.'

Industry figures are calling for business rates relief to be increased from the proposed five per cent to 13 per cent, alongside a cut to VAT on hospitality to bring the UK closer to European levels.