A reduction of VAT to 5% on food and non-alcoholic drinks for the Hospitality industry.
So? What is wrong with this?
It is supposed to help the public house but favours the large operators above the traditional hard working local publicans who serve their small communities. And here in Whitchurch we are small community with traditional pubs.
The small community-focussed wet-led pubs, so important as our centres of social value draw the short straw and are ignored, as these VAT cuts fall in the laps of the better off. There is no VAT reduction on your refreshing pint of beer, or your warming brandy.
Many publicans countrywide are saying this is firm kick in the teeth while the likes of the Hungry Horses, the Wetherspoons and the Beefeaters of this world are provided with handouts to help line their pockets, while those who simply provide an honest pint do not.
The small independents who have worked so hard to survive over the past months with their home deliveries and 'extra' services, not just beers but also delivering compost, vegetables and the Sunday joint come to mind for me. They get next to nothing.
Where is the fairness?
Britain was supposed to be supportive of the small business – no longer.
Despicable is too tame a word.
Just remember that when you tuck into that Harvester 2-for-1, hand over a Stonegate/JDW/Whoever Discount Voucher, or take a Brewer's Fayre Sunday special.
Think first – is this the business I should be supporting? Or should it be the hard working independent publican around the corner?
Once again our pub heritage is given scant all support from this government.
It is supposed to help the public house but favours the large operators above the traditional hard working local publicans who serve their small communities. And here in Whitchurch we are small community with traditional pubs.
The small community-focussed wet-led pubs, so important as our centres of social value draw the short straw and are ignored, as these VAT cuts fall in the laps of the better off. There is no VAT reduction on your refreshing pint of beer, or your warming brandy.
Many publicans countrywide are saying this is firm kick in the teeth while the likes of the Hungry Horses, the Wetherspoons and the Beefeaters of this world are provided with handouts to help line their pockets, while those who simply provide an honest pint do not.
The small independents who have worked so hard to survive over the past months with their home deliveries and 'extra' services, not just beers but also delivering compost, vegetables and the Sunday joint come to mind for me. They get next to nothing.
There is a small lovely country pub just down the road, turned around from closure into a wonderful centre for its village and surrounding area. In just five years it went from a near derelict run down building into a lovely warm welcoming refuge that caters for everyone. Such was the community spirit and ethos that was built up it gained several awards, culminating in the National Pub of the Year.
This is what the landlord said after hearing today's announcement:
"My lowest day as a Pub landlord.... For all I have done and many other community old traditional boozer landlords like me too. UK government see fit to give restaurants a financial advantage over us as we are marginalised and not considered worthy of support within the Hospitality sector."
Where is the fairness?
Britain was supposed to be supportive of the small business – no longer.
Despicable is too tame a word.
Just remember that when you tuck into that Harvester 2-for-1, hand over a Stonegate/JDW/Whoever Discount Voucher, or take a Brewer's Fayre Sunday special.
Think first – is this the business I should be supporting? Or should it be the hard working independent publican around the corner?
Once again our pub heritage is given scant all support from this government.
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