Business Rates
We provide essential coverage of business rates policy and reform, and how it impacts operators across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector. From government relief schemes and revaluation updates to lobbying efforts led by UKHospitality and industry coalitions, this captures the key developments influencing site viability and cost pressures. Whether you run a single high-street restaurant or oversee a multi-site pub or catering group, we explain how changes to the business rates system affect your bottom line, and what you need to know to plan ahead.
-
Nov- 2025 -11 NovemberRestaurants
Hospitality job losses deepen ahead of Budget
Employment in the UK hospitality sector has fallen for 13 consecutive months, with new ONS data revealing the industry continues to bear the brunt of a wider jobs downturn. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 170,000 fewer people are on payroll compared with the period before last year’s…
Read More » -
10 NovemberRestaurants
345 hospitality businesses urge tax cuts ahead of Budget
More than 340 leading hospitality businesses have signed an open letter to the chancellor calling for urgent action in the upcoming Budget to support the sector. The letter, coordinated by trade body UKHospitality, is backed by companies including Butlin’s, Greene King, IHG Hotels and Resorts, KFC, Merlin Entertainments, Marston’s, Wagamama,…
Read More » -
5 NovemberPeople
UKHospitality welcomes Keep Britain Working review
UKHospitality has expressed support for the Keep Britain Working review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, which sets out a new employer-first approach to workplace health and tackling rising economic inactivity linked to ill-health. The review aims to help businesses create healthier and more resilient workplaces while supporting people to stay…
Read More » -
Oct- 2025 -28 OctoberRestaurants
UKH warns hundreds of venues could shut under new rates surcharge
Hundreds of large hospitality venues could face closure if the government goes ahead with plans to impose a new business rates surcharge on big properties, UKHospitality and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have warned. According to UKH, the measure would threaten around 500 high street venues with rateable values above…
Read More » -
9 OctoberPubs and Bars
Pubs and bars could stay open longer under gov’s licensing reform
Pubs and bars in England and Wales could stay open longer following the government’s launch of a fast-track review that could “tear up outdated licensing rules”. As part of the move, a four-week call for evidence has been announced, inviting landlords and customers to contribute their views. The call for…
Read More » -
8 OctoberBusiness
Gov launches review of licensing rules to modernise system
The Government has opened a call for evidence on proposed reforms to England’s licensing system, following recommendations from the Licensing Taskforce. Trade body UKHospitality, which sat on the taskforce, said the changes could help modernise the system and support growth but cautioned that further action is needed to tackle rising…
Read More » -
7 OctoberGovernment
UKH welcomes Tories’ pledge to scrap business rates
UKHospitality has welcomed the shadow chancellor’s claim that the party wants to “abolish” business rates. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference this week, Mel Stride said that businesses need “hope” and claimed that 89,000 jobs have been lost in the hospitality sector alone. He said: “We need to get business…
Read More » -
Sep- 2025 -29 SeptemberTrade Associations
Four in 10 Brits say high streets are in decline, UKH finds
Four in 10 people believe their local high street is worse than it was a year ago, according to research published by UKHospitality. The survey of 5,000 consumers, carried out by CGA by NIQ in partnership with Zonal, found the perception of decline was strongest in suburban and rural areas.…
Read More » -
22 SeptemberTrade Associations
UKHospitality urges staff to join #TaxedOut campaign ahead of Budget
UKHospitality has launched an online tool to enable hospitality staff to contact their MPs as part of its #TaxedOut campaign, which calls for government action on the sector’s tax burden. The tool provides a template letter that employees can adapt and send to MPs. Similar resources have already been made…
Read More » -
22 SeptemberFeatures
What effect will Labour’s proposed business rates reform have ahead of the budget?
After years of pressure from hospitality businesses and the trade organisations that represent them, the government has finally relented. Last week it revealed its proposed changes to the business rates system in England and Wales. Despite this positive news, it remains to be seen how this reform fits in with…
Read More »
