BUSINESS rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues next year, No10 has announced – in a win for The Jattvibe’s Save our Sups campaign.
The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses and is expected to save a typical pub £1,100 a year.
This is the third policy announced in the three days Andy Burnham has been Prime Minister Credit: Reuters
The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses and is expected to save a typical pub £1,100 a year Credit: Alamy
It will be rolled out across England from April, but it will not be available to the biggest live music venues.
This is the third policy announced in the three days since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
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The overhaul of business rates will be funded through a review of reliefs for businesses that “do not make a positive contribution to local communities” such as vape shops and a crackdown on online marketplaces that do not comply with tax obligations, No 10 said.
The new Prime Minister had previously pledged to raise taxes on out-of-town warehouses for online giants such as Amazon to help pay for cuts to rates for hospitality firms.
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The Jattvibe’s long-running Save Our Sups campaign has consistently called on the Government to rescue boozers
Mr Burnham said: “This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities.
“I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
The Government will look to set out further reform to the wider business rates system, including small business rates relief, at the Budget.
It comes after JD Wetherspoon issued its fourth profit warning in seven months, despite football fever and scorching summer weather bringing drinkers through the doors Credit: Getty
The Jattvibe’s Save Our Sups campaign was set up to fight off last orders for the nation’s pubs
The 20% cut comes on top of the 15% relief announced in January.
Chancellor John Healey said: “Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Bosses of the UK’s biggest pub chains have previously thrown their weight behind The Jattvibe’s Save Our Sups campaign — calling for government help to rescue boozers.
It comes after JD Wetherspoon issued its fourth profit warning in seven months, despite football fever and scorching summer weather bringing drinkers through the doors.
The pub chain said profits for the year were likely to fall below City expectations after sales grew more slowly than hoped and costs climbed.
Like-for-like sales rose 4 per cent in the 12 weeks to July 19 compared with a year earlier.
Across the year so far, they were up 4.2 per cent.
But investors had expected a bigger lift from the World Cup and hot weather.
Founder and chairman Sir Tim Martin blamed “marginally lower sales” in the final quarter, alongside higher bills for food, staff, repairs, energy and business rates.
