Pubs Cheer Business Rates Relief While Other Firms Left Out in the Cold

Andy Burnham’s 20% business rates discount for pubs, social clubs and live music venues was welcomed by hospitality bosses, with tax experts saying it could save the average pub more than £1,000, according to BBC. The relief comes on top of emergency business rates support introduced in January. But other High Street operators said they would miss out and urged ministers to widen the package. Keith Bott, who runs the Titanic Brewery and nine pubs across the Midlands, said pubs face pressure from higher National Insurance, wage costs, inflation and living costs, while Ruth Dawson of HD3 Fitness Centre in Huddersfield said her gym had been “left out in the cold”. Nick Smith, who runs the Ludoquist board game cafe and bar in Croydon, said he feared being excluded because his venue may not meet the government’s definition of a pub. Sam Lamiroy, who runs 45 Queen Street in Penzance, said a cut in VAT from 20% to 10% would be more effective than the business rates relief.