05/06/2026
This isn’t our usual kind of post but please bear with us….
I know through conversations with so many customers, that you are as concerned as us about the amount of independent cafes, restaurants and pubs that are closing on a weekly basis - in fact the UK is losing around 4 hospitality businesses EVERY DAY. That’s a really scary figure 🙁.
Massive rises in food costs, business rates, national insurance, wages and energy costs have squeezed our industry to the point of collapse.
BUT THERE IS HOPE! 😇
Tom Kerridge and UK Hospitality have launched a campaign called “VATS THE PROBLEM” to attempt to get the UK government to reduce the 20% rate of VAT for the hospitality industry.
Ireland ran a very similar campaign and the VAT rate for hospitality has been reduced to 9% 👏🏻 🇮🇪
The UK 20% VAT rate for hospitality is one of the highest in Europe. In France, Spain and Italy it’s 10% and in Germany it’s 7%. Their governments recognise the low margins the industry operates on and that hospitality businesses have far fewer opportunities to reclaim VAT than many other industries.
On the UK front, all major opposition parties and a high number of Labour MPs are ALL calling for this VAT reduction - so with a bit of extra pressure from the public this could happen 🙏🏼🙏🏼
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO 😁:
Sign the “VATS THE PROBLEM” campaign petition - the link is in our bio - it takes 30 seconds, I promise. Oh….and then share this post and tell all your friends 😁.
Over 100,000 people have signed in just 72 hours - people just like you who love their fabulous local cafe (😉), their favourite restaurant and the local that’s been the hub of the community forever.
In the weird world we are currently living in, we feel we need community more than ever - so let’s not lose any more of it 😕.
Jo & Gez
One Kitchen&Social 😁
