The consumer launch of the #VATsTheProblem campaign has begun today (1 July), with hospitality operators urged to encourage customers to back calls for a cut in VAT.
Join our new WhatsApp channel: The Morning Round-Up
Get the biggest pub trade stories straight to your phone. Listen to our one-minute daily news briefing and receive breaking news, exclusives and sector updates throughout the day. Remember to turn notifications on in the top right corner!
The campaign, spearheaded by chef, publican and restaurateur Tom Kerridge, is calling for hospitality VAT to be reduced to 10% in a bid to ease pressure on pubs, restaurants, hotels, cafes, bars and late night venues.
Operators are being encouraged to download campaign materials and display them in venues, directing customers to sign the petition calling on the Government to act.
Campaign launch
The MA attended the campaign launch at Kerridge’s Bar and Grill at the Corinthia Hotel, London, where Kerridge was joined by key industry figures including Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie and chef patron Paul Ainsworth.
The campaign has already attracted more than 240,000 signatures and is targeting 1 million.
Kerridge said the consumer launch meant “every hospitality business” could download or buy campaign materials and use them to speak directly to guests.
He said the aim was to “get one million signatures onto the VATs the Problem petition” and raise awareness with Government.
Asked what a VAT cut would mean in the short term, Kerridge said it would “allow just a release of pressure” and help businesses “survive”.
Mackenzie said Greene King was looking at supporting the campaign through digital channels, social media and in pubs.
He added: “One of the things that we all know about this sector is that we can create jobs very quickly if we’re given the right circumstances.”
Ainsworth said the campaign was not about increasing profits, but helping businesses survive, invest and employ.
He said: “We’re being taxed out, and if we don’t change, we’re going to lose these amazing places.”
It comes after new survey data from UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster found one in six hospitality businesses said they were at risk of failure within the next 12 months.
The campaign is also highlighting the Republic of Ireland’s move to reduce hospitality VAT to 9%, which supporters said further underlined the UK sector’s tax disadvantage.
- Operators can sign the petition here
- Campaign assets can be downloaded here
