Stourbridge venue calls on government to slash VAT for hospitality sector
The Cock 'n' Bull is backing a national campaign ran by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge
A Stourbridge restaurant and bar is backing calls for the government to slash VAT for the hospitality industry to 10% to help ease current financial pressures.
The Cock 'n' Bull on the High Street is backing the VATs the Problem campaign, started by celebrity chef and publican, Tom Kerridge.
The venue's owner, David Salmon, said the industry is facing many problems all at once including rising food costs, energy bills, wages and rent.
"Having looked at everything, the one area where we can make a massive improvement very quickly is the VAT," Mr Salmon said.
"If we keep going at this rate, there won't be any pubs or restaurants or cafes open in 25, 30 years."
The nationwide campaign highlights that in the UK, we pay one of the highest VAT rates in Europe at 20%. In France, Spain and Italy, it's 10%. In Germany it's 7%.
Those in the industry believe halving the current VAT rates would help safeguard the industry for the future, keeping businesses afloat during what is described as a difficult time.
Mr Salmon said things are getting "progressively harder".
"It's probably the hardest time I've ever known in my time in the industry," he said.
"Everything's just come at once and it's making it harder and harder to keep the doors open."
He continued: "We're trying to get that message out there and hopefully get the government to listen and do something about it."