The husband-and-wife team behind the Beanstalk Brews play cafe in Westbury fear they may be forced to close due to changes in business rates.
From April, hospitality businesses like Beanstalk Brews will no longer receive the 40 per cent business rates relief they had in 2025/26, which will result in higher bills.
Beth and Kai Pinnell, who opened Beanstalk Brews in June 2025, fear the changes will force them to close their business.
“With costs already so high, the loss of rate relief would push us beyond what a small, independent cafe can survive,” said Beth.
“For small, community-focused businesses like ours, it’s a huge hit and it’s going to have a huge impact. We’re not a high-profit chain, we’re a community space.
“When costs rise like this, it’s going to affect our ability to keep things acceptable and affordable for all the families that use us.”
The play cafe hosts regular toddler sessions and provides a comfortable and inclusive space for children, parents, and neurodivergent people of all ages. The cafe also works with Fairfield College to provide weekly work experience opportunities to young adults with learning difficulties.
Beth and Kai have written to local MP Andrew Murrison to ask for support in protecting small businesses from sharp increases in business rates. He has agreed to visit the cafe on Friday 20th March to see the support from the community first-hand.
“Without the meaningful support of our local MP, the risk is that only the big chains will survive and the community will lose vital local spaces,” said Beth.
“We want people to come over on the day to show him how much it means.”
“If Beanstalk Brews matters to you, if your children love it here, if you’ve found community, warmth, or support within these walls, we are asking you to stand with us.”
They are inviting members of the community to attend the cafe from 4.15pm on Friday 20th March to demonstrate the support for protecting local businesses, and to show what would be lost if they were forced to close.
For more information, contact the cafe via email at beanstalkbrew@gmail.com.
