The Mirror reports that in the UK, nearly 23,000 pubs, restaurants, and hotels closed since the pandemic. Of these, some 22,000 were licensed premises. This is a matter of considerable concern to the Hospitality industry. Conversely nearly  12,000 establishments have opened. This highlights the need for action. UKHospitality, the industry trade body, is calling for a 3% cap on business rate rises. It also proposes a reduction in VAT to a 12.5% rate to support struggling businesses. Chief Kate Nicholls emphasised the impact of price rises and tax burdens on companies in the hospitality businesses. She says that many of them are on the “cliff-edge.” The British Beer and Pub Association have suggested that, in their view, a 5% beer duty cut could potentially not only halt further business closures. It would create an additional 3,000 jobs. 

BFS Comment:  

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