North East chefs in tax plea to the Chancellor

RESTAURANTS 'ON THIER LAST LEGS' AS COSTS RISE

- By DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter

Chancellor Rachel Reeves

TWO of the North East's top restaurateurs have issued an urgent plea for help from Rachel Reeves, amid fears that business rate hikes will lead to even more closures in the struggling hospitality sector.

Kenny Atkinson and Cal Byerley, the chefs behind the Michelin-starred House of Tides in Newcastle and Pine in Northumberland, have warned of major job losses among the region's restaurants, hotels, bars, and their supply chain unless the Government acts to bring down their tax bills.

Last year saw the demise of a raft of popular Tyneside venues like Earl of Pitt Street, Leila Lily's, Horticulture, Prohibition, and Peace and Loaf, a trend that has continued into this year with recent news that popular late-night bar The Mushroom will be shutting its doors.

While ministers have confirmed an expected climbdown to soften the impact for pubs as a result of looming business rate rises, due to a combination of properties being revalued and the phasing out of Covid-era relief, industry leaders say that support must be extended to the wider hospitality sector.

Speaking to The Chronicle on a visit to the North East last week, Ms Reeves said the Treasury understood that the rates uplifts were “too soon” for some businesses and suggested there could be support for the sector beyond pubs.