Support grows for pub VAT cut
More than 1,700 people have signed a petition to the Government, submitted by the Publican's Morning Advertiser (PMA), calling for VAT to be reduced to 5% for the hospitality sector. The petition is part of the Thrive on Five campaign to reduce VAT to help the sector.
The campaign already has the backing of major pubcos, trade associations, the Campaign for Real Ale and celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it must be debated in the House of Commons.
JD Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin urged the trade to get behind the petition: "The PMA is absolutely right to call for VAT to be reduced to 5% in the hospitality sector and we would urge all in the licensed trade to back the campaign.
"Hopefully it can gain the 100,000 signatures needed for it to be debated in the House of Commons and it is important that everyone keeps up the pressure."
Agenda for growth
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish agreed.
"Pubs and bars have an unmatched capacity to produce jobs," he said. "All that we need is the head-room to expand and invest in new businesses. That's the agenda for growth and VAT at 5% will drive that success.
"If everyone who works in our sector puts their name to this petition then we will sail to the required number of signatures and force this debate to the top of the political agenda."
British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: "Huge credit to the Publican's Morning Advertiser for this campaign. It would be a winner all-round — a boost for pubs that would also encourage spending in the UK hospitality sector as a whole, creating thousands of jobs and raising UK tax revenues."
London brewer Fuller's is to send out two Thrive on Five posters — with a link to the petition — to all its pubs with its Tenants Extra mag-azine. Chairman Michael Turner has pledged his full support for the campaign.
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has pledged support for the petition and will be emailing the details to all its members. It is also planning to print beer mats and posters and send them out to all its pub members.
How you can support your industry
The Publican's Morning Advertiser (PMA) is calling on licensees to sign the petition and ask their customers to sign up as well.
8226 The PMA is also urging the industry to back the campaign by presenting the case to their local MP. Get your MP to work a shift in your pub and showcase the calls for a VAT cut to them. We have a briefing pack on the beneficial effects of the lower VAT rate in France. Email Ewan.Turney@wrbm.com to receive a copy.
