‘Save Hospitality’ call as city braces for job losses

PLYMOUTH is bracing itself for a wave of cafe, restaurant and pub closures this winter with jobs lost as the economy flatlines - unless the chancellor throws them a lifeline.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

Independent hospitality businesses say they are struggling to make ends meet and are calling for the Government to ease their tax burden.

With GDP figures showing no growth in July, Plymouth hospitality businesses have come together to fight for some fiscal relief from Chancellor Rachel Reeves in November's Autumn Budget, with the grim prediction that if nothing is done then cafes, restaurants and pubs will go under.

Already more than 450 people have signed a petition started by the city's Save Hospo campaign.

The campaign warns “your favourite places to eat and drink are disappearing” and calls for backing to “save hospitality”.

The campaign accused the Government of “turning its back on us” and said that without urgent action “your favourite places to eat, drink and socialise will vanish’

Among Plymouth businesses at the forefront of the call, and backing UK Hospitality’s Taxed Out Campaign, are such well known names as EarlyBird, Mila’s Bakery, Zephyr Burgers, Twist, Ope, Lord High Admiral, Kneed Pizza, the Roundabout, Plymouth Pubwatch, and The Hutong Bagel Co.