Launching a parliament petition, David Moore, one of the UK’s most renowned restaurateurs who has owned Michelin-star restaurant Pied à Terre for 27 years, is spearheading a campaign for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, to abolish business rates and instate a fairer US style sales tax instead.
The hospitality sector alone provides 2.3 million crucial jobs in the UK. As hiring is set to slow down over the next three years as a result of Brexit, the number of job losses is expected to soar. The number of UK restaurants forced to close jumped by a fifth last year as major chains came under pressure from rising costs and competition amid a squeeze on consumer spending. There were nearly 1000 insolvencies across the restaurant industry in 2017 compared with just 825 the year before.
Since business rates have increased again in 2018, restaurant businesses up and down the country have suffered serious implications, forcing loss of jobs and closures. Leading restaurant chains such as Gaucho, Jamie’s Italian, Prezzo, and Byron have been forced to close outlets across the UK due to mounting pressures of business rates. However, smaller businesses are also affected with medium sized restaurant groups cancelling openings and independents struggling to make ends meet. Of those restaurants that have remained open, a third of the UK’s top 100 restaurants are losing money.
Before Brexit, many restaurants were set to cater for the forecasted jump in demand. However, since the vote to leave the EU, consumer habits have changed and almost a quarter of people in the UK (23%) plan to spend less on eating and drinking out this year. This loss in revenue coupled with eye-watering business rates means restaurant chains are taking a huge hit.
In a bid to resolve the issue of business rates across the UK, David Moore, wants to take on Downing Street to save businesses and ultimately jobs. Moore wants business rates to be reviewed so restaurants can thrive and continue to provide jobs.
The petition is also being supported by the Deputy Mayor of Business, Rajesh Agrawal and Lawrence Hartley, founder of Alliance of Independent Restaurants.
To sign the parliament petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/226778
