Trade bodies across the sector have hit out at the Bank of England (BoE) Governor's “ludicrous” and “impossible” suggestion that firms should “stomach” cost increases.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s ban of nitrous oxide gas, after the drug had put “immense pressure” on the late-night sector.
Tackling the main drivers of inflation and offering hospitality firms “enhanced support” would “reduce the need” for interest rate increases, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.
The closure of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) for firms has the potential to mean companies are forced to close, downsize or restructure, a business organisation has warned.
Inflation rates “unexpectedly” rose by 10.4% in the 12 months to February 2023, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.
The end of the RMT union's trade dispute with Network Rail is “encouraging news” for the hospitality sector, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls stated.
The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has issued statutory guidance for pub companies regarding market-rent-only (MRO) options and upfront front costs to “remove barriers for tenants”.
The MA's Ed Bedington caught up with UKHospitality boss Kate Nicholls to get her take on the week's news, which has seen the Spring Budget announced, Ofgem's letter to Government and potential train strike breakthroughs.
The measures announced in the Spring Budget “did not go far enough” to “rebalance catastrophic impact” of rising costs across the board, according to trade bodies from across the sector.
Music Venue Trust (MVT) has warned the Government’s failure to extend the business energy relief scheme in yesterday’s Spring Budget would lead to mass venue closures.
BrewDog co-founder and chief executive James Watt has branded the Spring Budget ‘underwhelming’ and issued a four-point plan for what should have been announced.
Further industrial action on rail and tube services during March and April could cost the hospitality sector £600m in lost sales, trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has stated.
The night-time culture economy (NTCE) has lost more than 4,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic and 33,000 jobs, a Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) report has highlighted.
“British ale is warm, but the duty on a pint is frozen” were the words uttered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the flippancy of his remark sums up the level of care this Government appears to have for the hospitality sector.
While the Government has extended its Energy Price Guarantee for households, the Chancellor failed to mention any further support on rocketing utility bills for businesses in the Spring Budget today (Wednesday 15 March).
Despite industry-wide calls for reformation to business rates, the Conservative Party’s Spring Budget failed to offer anything new to the under-pressure on-trade, which would “frustrate and anger” the sector.
The Chancellor did not announce a reform to the apprenticeship levy in the Spring Budget today (Wednesday 15 March), despite hospitality claiming it was “holding back investment”.
Speaking in the House of Commons in Westminster, London, today (Wednesday 15 March), Chancellor Jeremy Hunt laid out his plans to “increase the generosity of draught relief” for pubs.
Non-compliant energy suppliers must be “held accountable” by the Government and work with businesses to find “pragmatic solutions” to inflated contracts following Ofgem’s letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt yesterday (Tuesday 14 March).
Despite record numbers of jobs being created in the hospitality sector, growth is being held back as 9% of roles remain unfilled, according to UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls.
Proposed restrictions on alcohol advertising would damage the hospitality sector for generations and the “ludicrous” plans should be thrown out, according to trade bodies in Scotland.
Hundreds of hospitality businesses have signed an open letter urging the Chancellor to implement measures to “unshackle” the sector in the upcoming Spring Budget.
Trade bodies have ‘strongly urged’ the Government to make permanent provisions rolled out during the pandemic, stating this would be “overwhelmingly positive” for hospitality.
About one in four independent and culture businesses are at risk of “being lost” in the next six months, the second Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) Night-Time Economy Report has revealed.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has called for swift action over its fears for the August introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) because there are still many unanswered questions about its operation and believes small businesses...
An update on Government’s Hospitality Strategy unveiled yesterday (1 March), has revealed “substantial progress” has been made in the sector’s recovery, according to UKHospitality (UKH).
Circularity Scotland is confident Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is on course for an August launch despite previous protestations from trade bodies.
Some two-thousand pubs could close without a "plan for sustainable growth" in the Chancellor's Spring Budget later this month, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has stated.
A collective representing drinks producers in Scotland has demanded an urgent review of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that is set to come into force in August.
The Government needs to tell energy suppliers to “stop being greedy” and allow businesses to renegotiate contracts after being “duped” into agreeing to “inflated” prices, according to one West Yorkshire-based operator.
The Government has called on firms that receive a business rates bill to take part in research to help improve the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) service.
Foodservice price inflation dropped to 22% in January in an “encouraging” start for hospitality, but challenges persist, the new edition of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed.
Tackling the root causes of inflation in the upcoming Budget is “critical” to enable the sector to return to “driving economic growth” after “surprise surplus” in Government finances.
Trade bodies have demanded clarity over the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) after Circularity Scotland announced £22m would be made available to support drinks producers.
Inflation rates show “promising” signs but price increases continue to “hinder” the hospitality sector, according to UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport’s (RMT) rejection of new pay offers “so frustrating” for “embattled” hospitality, UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has stated.
Pubs in Scotland are expected to be allowed to put tables and chairs on pavements outside their premises without submitting planning applications from the end of March.
The hospitality sector is suffering despite official figures showing the UK narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has stated.
Trade associations have warned the Scottish government thousands of businesses are unable to meet the deadline to implement the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
A number of trade bodies have warned there will be further pub closures if the Government doesn’t step in to help businesses battle ‘devastating energy costs’.
Interest rate increases are not all “doom and gloom” for the hospitality sector however it is important the Chancellor takes the added “pressure” into account in the upcoming Spring Budget.
