Dozens of hospitality owners across Nantwich and Crewe packed into a meeting today with MP Connor Naismith to discuss the crippling costs they are facing.
The meeting in the Methodist Hall in Nantwich was organised by Kelly Woodnutt, owner of St Martha on Hospital Street and Edward’s on Pillory Street.
It came after Nantwich News and our newspaper Nantwich Life highlighted owners’ concerns about VAT and are calling for a 10% cut for the hospitality industry.
It’s fuelled by the fact that, unlike other industries, the sector is unable to claim back any VAT at source on food products, which are zero-rated.
Ms Woodnutt warned popular restaurants, cafes and bars could face closure because of the rising costs they face, and a cut in VAT could help.
She rallied around 60 venues across Nantwich and Crewe to put their name to a letter she sent to Mr Naismith to initially raise the issue.
Some of the businesses at today’s meeting included:
AT Welch
Compass Wines
Edwards
Goat
Ginger & Pickles
Jordy’s Pizza
La Dolce Vita
Toast Haus
The Wickstead
Nantwich Gin
Nantwich Cricket Club
Noodle Gurus
O Kypreos
Red Cow
Six Nantwich
St Martha
The Wickstead
Kelly told Nantwich News: “We had a full room, and it was a great opportunity for local hospitality business to owners to have their voices and concerns heard.
“We had a nice range of representatives from pubs, cafes, take aways and restaurants.
“Some really great points were raised on the VAT issue and other issues that we are facing as an industry and some fantastic ideas on how to move forward.
“The purpose of the meeting was to keep our voices loud, provide an opportunity for local business to be heard and equally keep the pressure on Connor to act and make a plan to move this forward.
“We made it clear that this doesn’t end here and we need to see and hear action.
“Connor engaged well and listened to all our concerns and took the opportunity to really understand our struggles.”
She said Mr Naismith’s team are to create a comms group to keep all venue owners updated on how talks with the Government over cuts in VAT are progressing.
High profile chefs like Tom Kerridge have already supported the national campaign #VatsTheProblem calling for a “fairer 10% VAT rate for hospitality”
Kelly added: “We have asked Connor to contact other MPs who have shown support to the campaign to join forces and gain a stronger alignment in Parliament.
“We have asked that he meets with these MPs to put together some strong questioning for Parliament around the issue and form some strong arguments for the VAT cut.
“And to counter argue the point of how much it will cost the treasury vs the real cost on the economy and public purse should hospitality businesses continue to close as the rate they currently are.
“We have also asked him to gauge a sense of how represented small independents are in Parliament as we are concerned the voices informing government are coming from large corporations, most of which are not even based in the UK.
“Some really amazing views and points raised by our fantastic hospitality businesses leaders and all seemingly taken on board by Connor and his team.”
In a previous statement, Mr Naismith said: “Hospitality businesses are the lifeblood of our communities.
“They are absolutely essential in building a sense of place and provide unparalleled employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
“But they can only continue to do that with proper government support.
“I wrote to the Chancellor in November last year calling for a review of VAT levels and Business Rates reform.
“More recently I have joined Hospitality Together’s campaign to secure a sector specific VAT cut for Hospitality.
“Kelly’s letter is clear evidence that we have to act now to save our hospitality sector, and I do not take her words lightly. I intend to take this campaign to Parliament in the coming weeks and months.”
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