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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Mar- 2021 -4 MarchPubs and Bars
Revolution predicts ‘rapid rebound’ amid reopening
Revolution Bars Group is predicting a “rapid rebound” in trade and “significant” pent-up demand once the sector reopens, as it welcomes the “clarity” provided by the government’s recent roadmap announcement. The operator of 66 premium bars, trading under the Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba brands, intends to initially open 20…
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4 MarchTrade Associations
Hospitality industry welcomes budget package
The UK hospitality industry has responded warmly to the confirmation of financial support in the government’s budget for this year. Yesterday (3 March), chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £65bn support package for the economy as the country prepares to leave lockdown restrictions in April. Under the new budget, hospitality and…
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3 MarchFeatures
An insight into the pub sector’s investor interest
Following a spate of high profile investment rounds and acquisition rumours within the UK’s pub sector, a number of questions have been raised. Why has investor interest recently spiked within the industry? Why are a number of high profile deals falling through? And more simply, what do these kinds of…
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3 MarchGovernment
Budget 2021: Chancellor unveils new £65bn support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined a new £65bn support package in his March budget, confirming the decision to extend the furlough scheme until the end of September as well as new loan schemes of up to £10m for businesses. In what is Sunak’s second budget since he joined office in…
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3 MarchCoronavirus
Sunak to extend furlough scheme until September
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to extend the furlough scheme until September as part of his March Budget which will be announced today (3 March). According to The Times, Sunak will state that the country is in a “moment of crisis” as he extends furlough for another five months, taking…
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1 MarchCoronavirus
‘Decisive financial support’ needed to save hospitality, says APPG
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism (APPG) is urging chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide “decisive financial support to protect sector businesses crucial to communities around the UK”. The plea comes in a letter signed by more than 80 MPs written to Sunak ahead of this week’s Budget, with…
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1 MarchCoronavirus
Chancellor to unveil £5bn support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to offer over 700,000 retail, hospitality and other businesses grants of up to £18,000 as part of a £5bn rescue package to be included in his Budget speech on Wednesday (3 March). The new ‘Restart Grants’ will be directly distributed from local authorities from April…
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Feb- 2021 -26 FebruaryCoronavirus
Over 200 hospitality leaders plead for emergency support
More than 200 industry leaders and trade bodies representing the UK’s hospitality and pub sectors have warned the Government that, unless a “substantial package of support” is announced at the Budget, nearly two thirds of businesses may not be able to make it to the end of lockdown. UKHospitality, the…
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25 FebruaryCoronavirus
Hospitality leaders ‘optimistic’ of long-term future, CGA finds
Hospitality leaders are reportedly optimistic about the long-term future of the sector, though “urgent” support is still required to help them navigate reopening, according to the CGA Business Leaders’ Survey 2021. The survey, which was conducted in collaboration with UKHospitality, British Beer and Pub Association and the British Institute of…
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24 FebruaryCoronavirus
Extending 5% VAT cut ‘not enough’ to save hospitality, says tax pro
Sue Rathmell, indirect tax partner at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, has said the UK needs “bold and sweeping measures” to save the hospitality sector, calling on the government to do more than just extend 5% VAT measures. The statement comes ahead of the March Budget, with many in the hospitality sector…
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