"It's kind of been disastrous in the last two year," says James Fitzgerald, a London pub landlord bracing for the UK government's November 26 budget. Fitzgerald has seen his running costs rocket, with energy prices rising in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, alongside hikes in food bills, taxes and the minimum wage. "As well as myself, I can imagine other businesses feeling a bit nervous," he says, adding that his usually festive pub has delayed putting on its Christmas lights "to keep our costs down." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES