Dear Editor
As we all know pubs and hospitality/leisure businesses are closing down at an increasing rate of nearly two per day, with major operators like Whitbread (owner of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre – 200 locations to close with a loss of 3,800 jobs) and The Revel Collective (formerly Revolution Bars Group) shutting down venues to cut costs and jobs.
Recent market shifts and soaring costs have forced multiple major closures across the country:
Whitbread: The Premier Inn owner is shutting down its remaining standalone Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants to reset its business strategy.
The Revel Collective: The owner of Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba, and Peach Pubs fell into administration and shut down 21 venues and a loss of 591 jobs to stay afloat.
J D Wetherspoon: The pub giant has been progressively selling off various locations across the UK to consolidate its portfolio.
Why is this happening?The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) attributes these closures to an unsustainable tax burden, soaring business rates, and rising National Insurance contributions. Independent pubs and mid-market chain venues are being hit the hardest, as many are finding it difficult to absorb costs without passing unsustainable price hikes on to consumers.
But it’s not just pubs and restaurants: the leisure industry is suffering too! I live close to a seaside town in East Sussex and I can tell you that many local leisure businesses are suffering and shutting down with a staggering drop in footfall due to the simple fact that people just don’t have any money to spend.
Rachel in Accounts is helping families by launching the ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme, which cuts VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on children’s meals and family leisure activities (such as theme parks, cinemas, and zoos) from June 25 to September 1. Children aged five to 15 in England are to get free bus travel throughout August.
Just what will it cost to manage this stupid schemes? And how likely is it to be taken advantage of with fake claims?
Reeves knows full well that the hospitality and leisure industry are suffering as a consequence of ridiculous government policies, which is why these pathetic schemes are being launched in an effort to encourage parents and families to spend money which they simply don’t have, thanks to the ongoing increases in the cost of living due high energy and fuel costs all because of Miliband’s Net Zero madness!
The property market is showing signs of stagnation or slowing down, even heading toward a crash?
Then we have our government taking full advantage of the Iran conflict and subsequent increases in oil costs which have significantly raised tax revenue and yet they’ve done nothing to support motorists or the transport industry, which says it all: they just don’t care and are far happier to take more tax so they can waste even more money!
All these policies and schemes should be scrapped and taxes should be cut to allow businesses to operate, make a living, employ staff and leave more money in people’s pockets to spend which in turn will all increase tax revenue; it’s called an economy.
But of course, Rachel can’t understand any of this because she’s not even qualified to do her job! If anyone needs to be reprimanded for failing performance, she’s got to be first in line along with her boss Starmer!
Trevor Willard
East Sussex
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