Pubs cheer business rates relief while other firms 'left out in the cold'
Keith Bott, who runs the Titanic Brewery and nine pubs across the Midlands, said the government was "finally recognising the plight of the hospitality industry
Keith Bott, who runs the Titanic Brewery and nine pubs across the Midlands, said the government was "finally recognising the plight of the hospitality industry and trying to help". He said pubs had been hit by a mix of employer Insurance increases, the rising minimum wage, high inflation and the climbing cost of living.
Meanwhile, the sector is "heavily taxed", with around 35-40% of turnover going to the Treasury, he added. "What I really liked in this announcement is they are recognising we need to look at a fairer tax system so we can all contribute to society," Bott told the BBC.
He said online retailers that operate out of warehouses pay a "ridiculously low" amount of business rates in comparison, and "we need to make the
system fair". And Bott urged the government to go further in supporting the industry, cutting the duty on draft beer to target drinks sold in pubs.
The BriefWire