West Sussex pub landlady reacts to Andy Burnham's vow to cut business rates - 'barely scratches the surface'
The owner of several West Sussex pubs has reacted to Andy Burnham’s vow to cut business rates.
The new Prime Minister announced pubs, clubs and live music venues in England will receive a 20 per cent cut to their business rates bills from 2027.
The move will ‘save the typical pub an estimated £1,100 next year’, according to the Labour Government.
Angie Deeprose owns Worthing pubs O’Connors in Warwick Street, The Richard Cobden in Cobden Road, and Steyning High Street’s Chequer Inn.
She said Mr Burnham’s announcement is ‘a welcome acknowledgement that the hospitality sector is under immense pressure’, but the amount of support offered falls short.
“Any financial support is appreciated,” Mrs Deeprose said.
"But the reality is that it falls nowhere near what is needed to save Britain's local pubs.
“For the average pub, the reported saving of around £1,000 from next April is simply not enough.
"It won't enable businesses to take on additional staff, invest in their premises, absorb rising employment costs or, in many cases, even make the difference between survival and closure.
“Hospitality businesses continue to face soaring operating costs, increased National Insurance contributions, higher wage bills and rising utility costs, all while consumer spending remains under pressure.
"A modest reduction in business rates barely scratches the surface of these challenges.”
Mrs Deeprose said the sector ‘urgently needs’ a reduction in VAT for hospitality.
She added: “The UK's VAT rate places pubs, clubs and restaurants at a significant disadvantage compared with many of our European neighbours, where reduced hospitality VAT rates have helped businesses remain viable, protect jobs and stimulate local economies.
"It is time for the Government to recognise that meaningful VAT reform would have a far greater impact on protecting jobs, preserving community pubs and securing the future of our hospitality industry than relatively modest business rates reductions.”
She has urged ‘everyone who values their local pub’ to sign the ‘VAT’s the Problem’ campaign, spearheaded by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.
The petition reads: “Our pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, nightclubs and many more, are at the heart of our communities.
“They bring people together and bring life to our cities, towns and villages, but they're under huge pressure from rising costs.
“Our message to Government is simple. Let's stand together to say VAT at 10 per cent is fair for hospitality.”
View the petition at: www.vatstheproblem.co.uk.