Emma Gibbon, a landlady who owns two pubs in Cheltenham, has expressed her concerns about the increasing difficulties in operating hospitality businesses. During a meeting with the Business and Trade Minister, she highlighted several challenges, including rising prices, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing debt issues.
Gibbon specifically advocated for changes to National Insurance contributions for employers, which saw an increase last year, as well as a lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector. Currently, the government is working on initiatives to reduce licensing costs, extend business rates relief, and cut alcohol duty on draught pints.
Despite these measures, Gibbon emphasized that the rise in National Insurance is significantly impacting her businesses, stressing that the hospitality sector employs a higher proportion of young, part-time workers who may be more affected by these costs. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is also calling for business rate reforms to facilitate growth in local communities, emphasizing the economic and social importance of pubs.
The BBPA’s chief executive, Emma McClarkin, noted that the government needs to address the financial burdens faced by pubs to ensure their viability. She mentioned that, on average, one pub is projected to close each day in the UK in 2025.
Gibbon’s meeting with officials from the Business and Trade Department was part of her role with the British Institute of Innkeeping, which represents around 13,000 pubs. She described the meeting as a valuable opportunity to convey the practical challenges faced by the hospitality sector. A government spokesperson reiterated the importance of pubs to local communities and mentioned ongoing support measures for the sector, including changes to licensing, support for outdoor dining, and reductions in alcohol tax.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crme2jr3j2vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss