VAT
We report on VAT policy and its implications for the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including rate changes, government decisions, lobbying campaigns, and compliance challenges. From reduced VAT measures during the pandemic to the sector’s push for permanent reform, this brings together essential updates that affect margins, pricing, and profitability. Whether you’re a small independent or a multi-site operator, understanding VAT is critical to managing costs and planning for sustainable growth. Our coverage is written to support chefs, operators, F&B leaders, and finance teams navigating a complex and evolving tax landscape.
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Dec- 2025 -24 DecemberPubs and Bars
Half of night-time venues expect business rates to rise over 50%
Nearly half of Britain’s nightclubs, live music venues and late-night entertainment spaces expect their business rates to rise by 50% or more, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the sector from 2026, according to a survey of operators. A flash poll of 345 nightlife businesses found that rising business…
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Nov- 2025 -24 NovemberBusiness
Hospitality leaders’ confidence hits five-year low ahead of Budget
Hospitality leaders’ confidence in their business outlook has fallen to its lowest level in five years as rising costs and weaker consumer spending place fresh strain on pubs, bars and restaurants, according to CGA by NIQ and Sona. The latest Business Confidence Survey found that just 26% of leaders feel…
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20 NovemberPubs and Bars
Redcat like-for-like Q2 sales jump 4.3%
Redcat Hospitality Group has revealed that its total like-for-like sales rose 4.3% for the three months ended 30 September 2025. It said that the Coaching Inn Group saw like-for-like sales increase 5.4%, while its RedCat Independent Pubs business saw its like-for-like sales rise 2.5%. Meanwhile, it posted total sales of…
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19 NovemberTrade Associations
Hospitality groups warn of more job losses without Budget support
More than half of hospitality businesses say they will be forced to cut staff or raise prices if next week’s Budget (26 November) does not provide additional support, according to a new survey of sector members. The poll by UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping, the British Beer and Pub…
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12 NovemberBusiness
BII calls on govt to reduce pub sales VAT to 10%
Steve Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), has written to chancellor Rachel Reeves calling upon her to permanently reduce VAT on pub sales to 10% at the budget. Alton said that this move would boost resilience, create jobs, enable investment and minimise price rises for consumers. He…
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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…
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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,…
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7 NovemberPubs and Bars
Wetherspoon reports 3.7% rise in Q1 sales amid cautious outlook
JD Wetherspoon has reported a 3.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the 14-week period ended 2 November, as total sales rose 4.2% compared with the same period last year. It comes as bar sales during the first quarter grew by 5.7%, food sales rose by 0.9%, and slot and fruit…
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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…
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Oct- 2025 -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…
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