Is My Pub Fucked? Website Uses Data to Drive Support for Local Pubs Amid Rate Hike Crisis

As UK pubs face unprecedented financial pressure from rising costs and business rate hikes, a new online tool called Is My Pub Fucked? is directing patrons to vulnerable local establishments. The platform combines publicly available valuation data with location analysis to identify pubs needing urgent support, even as the government hints at potential relief measures.

The initiative arrives amid a perfect storm for publicans. While the government signaled a potential reversal of planned rate increases on January 8th, no concrete plans have materialized. Meanwhile, energy costs remain high and consumer spending remains constrained. The website's creator—self-described as "one guy with a spreadsheet"—developed the Fucked Pub Index™ to quantify vulnerability. This metric analyzes Valuation Office Agency data for 45,199 pubs classified under SCAT code 249 (Public Houses), cross-referencing location and rateable values against proposed increases.

Key findings reveal systemic challenges:

• 79% of analyzed pubs face increased rates under current proposals
• 11% fall into "fucked" or worse categories, meaning rate hikes exceeding 25%
• 46,000+ establishments included in the current analysis

The platform's interactive map visualizes pub locations color-coded by risk level, from moderate increases (yellow) to critically threatened (red). Users enter their postcode to discover nearby pubs, with detailed views showing each establishment's specific rate change percentage and vulnerability rating.

Despite the irreverent branding, the underlying methodology uses legitimate government datasets. Rateable values—assigned by the Valuation Office Agency—determine business tax bills. The 2026 revaluation could exacerbate pressures without intervention. Industry analysts suggest actual impacts may be wider than official figures indicate, as small community pubs often operate on razor-thin margins.

The website explicitly avoids fundraising or political advocacy. Instead, it channels support directly through patronage: "Buy a pint. Eat a meal. Show up," the site urges. This direct-action approach highlights how technology can mobilize community response without intermediaries.

As policymakers deliberate, the platform serves as both public resource and real-time barometer of the sector's health. With 1 in 9 pubs facing potentially devastating rate hikes, the call for localized support grows increasingly data-driven. Visitors can explore the full analysis and interactive map at ismypubfucked.com.