This afternoon’s budget statement from the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivered little for pubs, despite the BII’s calls for a reduction in VAT for our essential pubs at the heart of their communities.
The Chancellor again referenced the Great British Pub when he announced a freeze to alcohol duty until February 2025.
Steve Alton, BII CEO commented:
“The Spring Budget statement this afternoon delivered no support for independent pub businesses in every village, town and high street across the UK. The freeze on duty until February next year will not help pubs, who have been facing huge inflation in every area of their business, high energy costs, wage rises and reduced footfall from consumers facing their own cost of living crisis.
“Our members and the wider hospitality industry are in urgent need of meaningful investment to allow them to thrive as essential hubs of their communities, delivering vital social connection, all whilst supporting local employment and local supply chains. This Budget simply did not deliver to safeguard incredibly successful operators, who are struggling with profitability, whilst being unfairly and disproportionately taxed.”
Notes to the editor:
About the British Institute of Innkeeping:
The BII is the leading independent licensee support organisation for individuals working in hospitality, with 13,000 individual members running premises across the UK – predominantly tenanted, leased, managed and freehold pubs. The organisation provides expert helplines, online business support, and guidance on key industry issues, and savings on a range of supply deals for its members, keeping pubs thriving in the heart of every community.
For further information please contact:
Molly Davis
Head of Communications
Sentinel House, Ancells Business Park, Harvest Crescent, Fleet, GU51 2UZ
Mob: 07539 377752
Web: www.bii.org
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