Government

UKH calls for VAT cut to boost tourism

23-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

UKHospitality (UKH) has called for the Government to address the UK’s lack of competitiveness on the global tourism market, beginning with a cut to VAT for hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses.

Autumn Statement

What's the opposite of exceeding expectations?

22-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

Expectations ahead of the Autumn Statement were already pretty low in the pub sector and I think it’s fair to say they have been duly met.

Mixed reaction to Autumn Statement from sector bosses

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector chiefs have issued a mixed response to Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement with many welcoming parts of it while others see “missed opportunities”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

NLW increase will ‘eliminate low pay altogether’, NI contributions down 2%

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

UK Government Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the rise in national living wage from £10.42 to £11.44 from April next year will “eliminate low pay altogether”.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Business rates discount extended

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

On Wednesday 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an extension to the 75% discount for business rates up to £100k for the sector as part of the Autumn Statement.

AUTUMN STATEMENT 2023

Hunt confirms alcohol duty freeze

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday 22 November Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a freeze to alcohol duty until August next year.

What is expected in the Autumn Statement?

22-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will reportedly announce cuts to business taxes and a National Insurance reduction in today's Autumn Statement.

NLW rise could put many operators ‘over the edge’

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Sector bosses fear the Government announcement on a rise in the national living wage (NLW) could put many hospitality businesses “over the edge”.

Confidence rises but business rates must be addressed

22-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Almost half of hospitality chiefs said they are confident about the sector during the upcoming 12 months despite a multitude of cost pressures, including business rates.

Some 20% of firms at risk of closure in early 2024

20-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than a fifth of night-time economy firms face collapsing in January 2024 without “substantial tax reductions”, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Business rates support ‘is the big one’

17-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke to Oak Taverns managing director Simon Collinson to get his thoughts on the week's news and the upcoming Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22 November.

CAMRA: 'unlawful pub demolition should be illegal'

17-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has urged the Government to strengthen planning policy and enforcement legislation to safeguard historic venues following a parliamentary debate on the protection of heritage pubs.

Duty increase will 'damage growth and prosperity'

16-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from across the brewery sector have joined calls urging the Chancellor to scrap the duty increase in February next year in next week’s Autumn Statement.

Further strike action expected to cause Christmas trade disruption

16-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The hospitality sector is braced for further Christmas disruption after train drivers announced plans to stage a fresh round of strikes in early December.

Inflation reduction 'no time to break out champagne'

15-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Decline in headline rate to inflation “encouraging” but “no time to break out the champagne” for hospitality firms, industry leaders have said.

WSTA: 'duty freeze only way to stop budget-busting price rises'

13-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

A freeze on alcohol duty is the “only option” to prevent “inflation-stoking” and “budget-busting” price rises, The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned.

Pubs community role needs recognising

13-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government needs to recognise and support the important role pubs play in the community, according to the chief executive of a leading family brewer.

Autumn Statement 2023: how can Gov support the sector?

10-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

With the Autumn Statement due to take place in less than two weeks, The Morning Advertiser (MA) has looked at what voices across the sector want from the Chancellor.

Review of the Week

‘It doesn't feel like inflation is under control’

10-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The MA's Ed Bedington spoke to Brucan Pubs’ James Lyon-Shaw to get his take on the week's events.

Lord: Gov must make major statement on 22 November

09-Nov-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Government must make positive changes in the upcoming Autumn Statement because pubs are already in a precarious position says night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord.

Christmas hopes pinned on rail strikes deal

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Christmas will “come early” for hospitality businesses if RMT members vote in agreement of a new deal that could see the end of rail strikes.

King's speech will 'unite or divide' sector and authorities

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The measures announced in the King’s Speech will either “unite or divide” the sector and authorities, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.

King's Speech start of 'disappointing agenda' for sector

08-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The King’s Speech marked the start of a “disappointing agenda” for the hospitality industry at a “crucial” and “challenging time” for many firms, voices from across the sector have said.

Water supply issues force Surrey pub to close

06-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs in Surrey were left without water on the “busiest day” of the week, potentially costing firms “thousands”, with much of the area still “left in the dark” about when their supply will return, one operator told The Morning Advertiser.

Hospitality investment unlikely without business rate action

06-Nov-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Government is “walloping” the pub sector on business rates and stifling the willingness for companies to invest into sites and new developments, the chief executive of Fuller’s has warned.

Sector 'deeply concerned' as BoE keeps interest rates at 5.25%

03-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Industry leaders have expressed “deep concern” for the future of the sector as interest rates remaining at 5.25% “piles further pressure” on hospitality firms.

PCA review divides opinion

01-Nov-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Voices from the sector have clashed over the results of the review into the operation and performance of the pubs code adjudicator (PCA).

Pub closure stats show 'uphill battle' faced by firms

31-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The growing number of business closures in the sector demonstrate the “sheer weight” of escalating costs and the “catastrophic predicament” faced by many hospitality firms, industry leaders have said.

Sector backs wellbeing scheme for staff in big numbers

26-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubcos including Greene King, BrewDog and St Austell Brewery are among more than 100 hospitality groups that have pledged to improve training and support for their staff.

43 late-night firms vanishing per week

26-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than 8,000 businesses have vanished from the late-night sector since 2020, new figures released by the Night-Time Industries association (NTIA) have revealed.

Brakspear boss: business rates rise threat hangs over the sector

20-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies has described the threat of business rates rises and the current discount being axed in April next year as “the Sword of Damocles” hanging over the sector.

CAMRA: Autumn Statement is ‘make or break’ moment for UK pubs

19-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Next month’s Autumn Statement has been labelled as a “make or break” moment for the UK’s pubs, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Government ‘must act’ to avoid £1.95bn business rates rise

18-Oct-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Pubs and bars have been warned they face huge multimillion-pound hikes in business rates bills from April 2024 if the Government fails to act when it comes to freezing rates and failing to retain discounts currently offered.

Pubs call for VAT reduction ahead of Autumn Statement

17-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than half of pubs want a reduction in VAT from the upcoming Autumn Statement to help keep their business “profitable”, a snap poll by The Morning Advertiser has revealed.

The Lock In Podcast

Rampant costs: The Lock In Live at The Restaurant Show

16-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team take to the airwaves live at The Restaurant Show with two top operators to tackle the cost challenges the sector is facing.

Review of the Week

'Sober October is probably a damn good thing'

13-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington met up with top gastropub operator Brendan Padfield to get his take on the week's news.

POLL: what do pubs need from the Autumn Statement?

12-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Ahead of next month's Autumn Statement, The Morning Advertiser wants to know what support you would find most beneficial for your business, have your say and vote now in our snap poll below.

BII: 'half of pubs operating at a loss'

10-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Only one in two hospitality firms are making a profit, new research from The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has revealed.

EXCLUSIVE

8 in 10 feel NLW hike will have significant impact

10-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Operators from across the sector have urged the Government to support pubs in delivering the increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) as more than 80% feel the rise will have a significant impact on their business.

Northern business left 'hung out to dry' after HS2 scrapped

05-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The discontinuation of HS2 is a “travesty” and leaves northern businesses “hung out to dry”, but investment into improvement transport links is a “positive” step.

Review of the Week

'National living wage is very inflationary'

05-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington catches up with award winning operator Clive Price of Barons Pub Company for his take on the week's news.

Pubs urged to support rate relief campaign

05-Oct-2023 By Ed Bedington

Pubs are being called upon for one final push to campaign for continued business rates relief ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Over 50% of firms opening at reduced hours amid supply chain issues

04-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

More than half of hospitality firms have been forced to operate at reduced hours as costs soar by 30% due to supply chain issues.

Poll: how much of an impact will the NLW rise have on your pub?

04-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Earlier this week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an increase to the National Living Wage (NLW), but how much of an impact will this have on your business? Vote now in our poll to have your say.

Operator warns pubs 'can't absorb' increase to NLW

02-Oct-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Pubs will not be able to “absorb” the increase to the National Living Wage (NLW) as the sector continues to face “unrivalled pressure”, one Suffolk-based operator has warned.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Lord Bilimoria: 'Gov needs to stop taking sector for granted'

29-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

The Government needs to start listening to the hospitality sector and stop taking the industry “for granted”, Cobra Beer founder Lord Karan Bilimoria told The Morning Advertiser.

Call for pubs to step up on rates campaigning

29-Sep-2023 By Ed Bedington

With many pubs struggling to break even, operators are being urged to increase pressure through their local MPs around business rates relief as the Government Autumn Statement approaches.

Inflation rate 'not telling true story'

20-Sep-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Trade bodies urge the Government to provide “targeted support” for the sector in the November budget as decline to the headline rate of inflation does not “tell the true story”.

MA LEADERS CLUB

What pubs need to know about their role in counter-terrorism

15-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The introduction of Martyn’s Law – a response to terrorism in the UK – will affect the pub industry so operators need to know what their responsibilities will be when the law comes into force.

Six-month wait on holiday entitlement for irregular hours staff goes on

15-Sep-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Staff members who work part-year and irregular hours in the hospitality sector are still waiting to find out what their holiday entitlements are despite a Government consultation ending more than six months ago.