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# Landlord hails role of community pubs after seeing increase in trade
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/landlord-hails-role-of-community-pubs-after-seeing-increase-in-trade/
- Published: 2026-02-02T08:08:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-02T07:15:31.000Z
- Description: A village pub has raised a glass after celebrating a successful increase in trade.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Business, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:11, News

A VILLAGE pub has raised a glass after celebrating a successful increase in trade.

Bosses at The Goat’s Head in Abbots Bromley said the business had defied the traditional post-Christmas slowdown in the hospitality sector to record a 30% increase in customer transactions in January, compared to the same period last year.

Landlord Ian Hillman said that strong local support and customers keen to move towards “community-led venues” has been behind the positive performance, which also saw revenue up 26%.

He added:

> “January is notoriously difficult for pubs, so to see both revenue and transactions grow so strongly is incredibly encouraging.  
>  
> “The rise in transactions is particularly important because it shows more people are choosing to come out and support their local, even in a tough economic climate.”

But while the performance was a positive one, Ian said ongoing pressures continued to challenge local hospitality businesses.

> “These results show what independent pubs can achieve with the right support, but rising costs, business rates, VAT and alcohol duty are still huge challenges.  
>  
> “Growth like this shouldn’t be the exception – it should be achievable across the sector if the tax burden was fairer.”