Norfolk brewer: firms need to 'pull out the stops' over bank holidays
Business rates relief has been cut this month- while the national living wage and national insurance contributions are increasing
A brewery in the county tells us it's pulling out all stops this weekend- to help off-set rising costs and taxes.
Employers national insurance has increased this month- while the minimum and living wage have also gone up as well.
The average household will be paying around £214 more a year from 1st April, with Council tax, water, broadband, mobile, TV licence all rising. That's up 53% on the year before.
This is all being dubbed as “Awful April”, with bill increases totalling £6.8bn coming into force.
"Many businesses will see their trade levels double"
David Holliday lives and works near Fakenham:
"Hospitality is a discretionary spend sector, so if it's costing you £50 to put fuel in your car, that's money you don't have to spend in the pub or restaurant.
"Late March is really the time that once the sun starts shining and people start thinking of Easter that it kick starts the hospitality sector into spring, summer and better times
"That is certainly the case with the Easter bank holiday, alone. Many businesses will see their trade levels double from what they were getting in January or February".
What are ministers saying on this?
The Government says it's supporting pubs with rising taxes and costs.
You can read more on whet's been done here.