Hospitality trade groups have united in a call for a reduction in business rates ahead of today’s Scottish budget. They are highlighting the huge disparity in rates bills for pubs north of the border over the last three years.
In a joint Statement from the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Hospitality Group, Night-Time Industries Association Scotland, and UKHospitality Scotland, they said support is vital in protecting jobs and ensuring investment.
They have pointed to the analysis of figures which show that hospitality businesses in Scotland have paid between 112% and 176% more in rates than those rated at the exact same level in England, due to the disparity in support from government over the last three years.
The sector is facing another double-whammy with the potential loss of the 40% discount for some businesses and astronomical increases in bills due to the recent revaluation, on top of the years of financial disparity between them and businesses in England. As a result, they are asking for continuation of the 40% relief on businesses, alongside the removal of the £51,000 cap.
• Hall & Woodhouse invested more than £15m in its estate last year, to “future-proof and evolve” the venues.
“Our multi-million investment has also helped to create and protect local jobs in hospitality, provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs to run pubs with strong underlying trade, and preserve historic buildings,” said the company in a statement.
The investment included £3.8m spent on acquiring and transforming The Quay, in Poole, an experiential games-led pub.
• Dolf van den Brink is to step down as chief executive of Heineken this year after six years in the job. The company posted a profit warning in the autumn after volumes declined in the third quarter.
