Pub chain boss criticises tax rises as 'yet another attack' on hospitality

A LEADING Derbyshire hospitality entrepreneur has hit out at what he calls “yet another attack on pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses already at breaking point” - as he revealed that the rateable value on one of his Peak District pubs has surged 318 per cent, from £49,000 to £205,000 a year.

- By ZENA HAWLEY

Rateable value is an estimate of a non-domestic property's annual rental value on the open market at a specific date, used to calculate business rates.

Rob Hattersley, who is the founder and managing director of Longbow Venues, said the sharp rise directly contradicts the Government’s repeated promises to support British businesses and reform the business rates system.

He said: “I thought the Government was helping hospitality out on business rates. A 318% increase is nothing short of another attack on businesses that simply cannot absorb these costs.”

Mr Hattersley is calling for immediate action, including a fair and transparent business rates system, targeted support for rural and seasonal operators, duty and tax reductions for sectors that support local economies, and policies that genuinely enable small to medium businesses (SMEs) to invest and grow.

He added that many hospitality operators feel trapped between escalating overheads and customers who are already struggling with the cost of living.

Mr Hattersley says that with disposable income down, venues cannot simply increase menu prices to offset additional taxation and charges.

He added: “We cannot just pass these costs on to guests.