Burnham says pub rate cuts are ‘first step’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that from April, pubs, clubs and live music venues will get a 20% cut in business rates.

He said: ”I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs. They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them."

Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “This is good news and a welcome first step from a government that understand the value of hospitality to jobs, growth and local communities.

“The Prime Minister is right to say this should be just the start. Restaurants are struggling just as much as pubs, while hotels are due to see their business rates bills increase by an average of 110%, the highest in the sector.

“After years of rising costs and tax increases that have hit investment and employment, the industry now needs a meaningful, sector-wide solution. While today’s announcement will provide welcome support for pubs, clubs and live music venues, they only account for around a fifth of hospitality jobs. The rest of the sector now needs to see the same ambition.

“We look forward to working with the government at the forthcoming Budget to deliver the wider businesses rates reform it has promised and create a fairer system that enables businesses to invest, create jobs and grow.”