Dame Caroline Dinenage, a prominent member of parliament, has reached out to the Chancellor concerning the dire circumstances faced by venues, clubs, and cinemas in the wake of significant business rate changes. Her message comes on the heels of recently released guidance that has caused extreme outcry across the hospitality industry. Last year, in his November Budget, the Chancellor cranked that discount down to just 40%. Beginning this April, the Department’s plan is to phase out these discounts entirely.
In a recent interview on Good Morning Britain, Dame Caroline Dinenage made clear just how urgent the situation is. From venues to clubs to cinemas, the independent world across the country continues to battle for its very existence. She underscored the increasing fiscal pressures that have left many venues on a razor’s edge.
The Chancellor’s haul of recent decisions has forced leaders across every industry to raise their voices in protest. Jon Collins, chief executive of the music venue umbrella body LIVE, is calling on the government to act now. In any U-turn on business rates for pubs he is keen to see those protections extended to live events and arenas.
“If the government is preparing a U-turn on business rates for pubs, it must not leave live events and arenas behind.” – Jon Collins
Chief executive of ukactive, Huw Edwards, issued a stark warning. He cautioned that turning a blind eye to business rates support for gyms, pools and leisure centers would lead to tragic results. He warned that if help does not come, prices may increase. This will quickly result in fewer services and eventually the closing of the fitness facilities we have left in our communities.
“Failure to provide a business rates support package to gyms, pools and leisure centres will lead to higher prices, reduced services, redundancies and in some cases the loss of gyms from our communities,” – Huw Edwards
British Retail Consortium (BRC) — represented on the BPF’s BRI steering group by chief executive Helen Dickinson — went on the attack, condemning the government’s “inaction.” Dickinson called it a “textbook example of a broken system.” He didn’t just want to build back better, he wanted radical reform. She remarked that recent changes appear to be merely “another sticking plaster on a broken system.”
“This latest announcement looks like another sticking plaster on a broken system rather than the more fundamental reform required.” – Helen Dickinson
Things couldn’t be more contentious right now. More than 1,000 pubs have now signed up to this campaign, which is banning Labour MPs from their premises in protest against the government’s treatment of pubs on business rates. Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the independents, said it was something other sectors should look at introducing.
“Perhaps independent retailers need to follow the pubs’ example and start banning MPs from their premises too,” – Andrew Goodacre
The Independent Valuation Office has increased property valuations of pubs and hospitality venues. This unfortunate decision exacerbates the challenges these businesses are already facing today. As landlords and pub owners express their frustration over impending rate hikes, they call for a more comprehensive solution to address their grievances.
Rachel Reeves, in her role as Shadow Chancellor, has been vocal about the challenges goddamn businesses up and down the land. She affirmed the government’s commitment to support pubs and high streets while noting ongoing discussions with various sectors about potential policy implications related to planning and licensing.
“I want to support our pubs; I want to support our high streets. That’s why we made the change to the rates. But I recognise that many paths are still struggling and we’re working with them.” – Rachel Reeves
The discussion around business rates, and their impact on various sectors of the economy, is more important now than ever. As industry leaders unite to seek solutions, there is an overarching need for an inclusive approach that considers all affected parties.