'Stop watching Netflix and go to the pub' – on crisis in hospitality

First Minister

- By RUTH MOSALSKI Reporter

FIRST Minister Eluned Morgan has said the hospitality sector is in crisis because people are staying in and watching television rather than going to the pub.

Ms Morgan told people that they needed to support local businesses and had to “stop watching Nettlix, they need to stop buying that bottle of wine and go out to the pub”.

On the day her government said it would offer tax relief to cafes, pubs and restaurants via a 15% cut to business rates, she told the Senedd: “Let's recognise there’s changes happening in our communities and the way people behave in relation to their public services and businesses in their communities are changing.

“If people want to see those business succeed, they need to use them. Stop buying things online, get out of their homes and stop watching Netflix, they need to stop buying that bottle of wine and go out to the pub.

“That's the reality of what's happening here. You can’t expect the state to step in and be doing the work the public should be doing.”

Earlier yesterday, the Welsh Government announced its decision on business rates for hospitality venues.

The UK Government last week announced a 15% cut for pubs and live music venues on their new business rates bill from April 1, with bills then frozen in real terms for a further two years.