It’s only 7th Jan and I’m already seeing a raft of Hospitality closures this morning.
I’m sadly predicting we will see more at the start of this year, than we did during Covid.
The unexpected extra tax burden of an increase in NI and Business Rates increase, will be the straw that broke the camels back.
Many Govt meeting are taking place this month, but sadly the writings already on the wall for many.
Welsh Government estimates that the 20mph policy has cost £32m. That's the same, give or take, as the income anticipated from a tourism tax.
1. Intro of any policy costs £. How much are TT implementation costs?
2. Stop wasting £32m
“Our companies desperately want to be able to support higher wages for staff but what is being asked of them is simply unsustainable if taxes are going to shoot up at the same time" our CEO @UKHospKate told @Telegraph.
https://t.co/n9j8B04aCQ
Not everyone is impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, with latest data from the Capgemini World Wealth Report indicating the global tally of High Net Worth Individuals increased 5.1% last year. The market potential for top-end luxury tourism remains strong.
Here’s a debate for you. Are bad reviews simply a way of conveying well-meant feedback that restaurants should accept unconditionally & leverage to adapt their approach? This response uses a real example to show the impact & usefulness of different kinds of feedback in reality
This is Wildflower Kitchen in Cardiff. You might have been there, you might not.
But it’s just closed and you should probably be concerned - this is symptomatic of a much bigger issue in Wales and across the UK.
THREAD 🍔🍕🍸🧵:
We are working closely with our colleagues in @PascUK and colleagues in other trade bodies to influence government policy on FHL following last week's Budget and as it develops - if you have concerns, register them with the petition below
The UK fell into a technical recession at the end of 2023, new GDP figures show.
“That will be a big worry for hospitality businesses up and down the country, as they need support from consumers more than ever", says @UKHospKate.
Read our full response 👇https://t.co/Sr3wpvzTMr
All this talk in the media about freezing alcohol duty in the budget...we're already taxed 20 times more than a pint in Germany.
It wont make a difference to the vast majority. It's a smoke and mirrors headline.
A VAT reduction is the only solution to saving the sector
Thoughts on VAT reduction for Hospitality.
I left a meeting in London this week, feeling the most positive I ever have about achieving this.
Still a long shot, but we need to come together.
One ask. One voice. Update soon.
Following the draft budget in December in which the Welsh government plans to cut business rate relief from 75% to 40%, "businesses in Wales are facing a significant disadvantage", @UKHospKate tells @BBCCymruFyw.
Listen to the full clip 👇
🏴 businesses face a tough road – without the 75% relief approved by the UK government, they’ll be 35% worse off than 🏴 businesses. Add in new recycling rules and a proposed tourism tax, this forces businesses in 🏴 to charge higher prices, risking less footfall, empty units, and job losses.
While taxing businesses more might generate income for the NHS, it’s essential to recognize that without thriving businesses, there’s nothing to tax!
🏴 already receives £1.20 for every £1 🏴 spends on the NHS – where does it all go? Is it truly 20% more expensive to run the NHS in 🏴?
Welsh businesses are dealing with a 400% increase in utility bills, and with the highest high street vacancy rate in the UK, government support for businesses and jobs is crucial. Seems such an odd decision
Tourism struggles persist in 🏴 due to poor infrastructure and a decline in overseas visitors. What’s the plan to benefit the economy and local businesses? All I have seen is no more new roads, cancelling bus services due to 20mph and constant train cancellations
@WelshGovernment@business_owen@UKHospKate@Sacha_Lord@ukhcymru@UKHofficial@BBCWalesNews@WelshConserv@SeneddWales
Some articles below all before the drop in support from Welsh government
Wales has highest vacancy rate in UK for high street
https://t.co/xTX23fqzYO
North Wales energy bills highest in UK
https://t.co/yyuRQ6tseH
Tourism Tax and Poor transport infrastructure - only 1 million of 41 million visitors visited wales in 2019 resulting in just 2% of total spend by tourists visiting UK
https://t.co/aTBOgREmlx
Wales 33% down on oversea visitors and holiday visits down 43%
https://t.co/3udczUMy1R.