The campaign, backed by chef and pub operator Tom Kerridge, JD Wetherspoon (JDW) boss Sir Tim Martin and UKHospitality, has been urging Government to cut VAT for hospitality businesses including pubs, restaurants, cafés and nightclubs.
Join our 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!
Kerridge confirmed the milestone in a joint post on social media with UKHospitality, thanking operators and supporters who had signed, shared and used campaign assets across hospitality venues.
He said: “We have now reached 400,000 signatures on our #VATsTheProblem campaign.
“Thank you so much to all who have signed, shared and used the assets within their cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.”
Budget pressure
The milestone comes ahead of the Budget, with operators and trade bodies continuing to warn that tax and cost pressures are limiting investment, job creation and business viability.
The campaign has argued that reducing VAT would help businesses manage rising costs, support employment and allow more operators to invest in their teams and venues.
It follows wider calls from across the sector for Government to reduce the tax burden on hospitality, including business rates reform, a beer duty freeze and further support on employment costs.
Sector backing
Kerridge urged those who had not yet signed the petition to add their support.
He added: “Please, if you haven’t signed [...], sign the petition and make a difference to the world of hospitality as we know it now.”
- Operators can sign the petition here
- Campaign assets can be downloaded here
