Supporting pubs and hospitality

There were big crowds for the Children’s Fireworks at 6.00pm as well as the midnight
display I watched in Looe to see in the New Year. It just shows what communities can
provide by organizing, funding and helping steward the event. Thanks to the Looe Harbour
Commissioners for allowing the Banjo Pier to be used as a safe launch site, and East Looe
Town Trust for excluding people from the beach to keep everyone safe. With good viewing
points all around the town, Christmas lights and decorations, plenty of parking and pubs
cafes and shops providing refreshments between shows, it was a fitting end to the year.
As usual, there were lots of people in fancy dress, with the prize winning entry a group
dressed as Polperro Roadworks team. 

I have sent the photo to “Wales and West Utilities”,
who were renewing the gas pipes, and “Core Highways”, who provide their traffic
management services, to show them how they have become the laughing stock of the town
because of their unreliable equipment, which kept breaking down, causing huge disruption.
They were photographed outside one of the pubs which was having one of their last busy
nights until Easter. I recently had a chat with a pub landlord, who explained that he was very
concerned about his escalating costs. His wages bill is over £250,000 per year as he
employs 20 local people all year round which rises to over 30 in the summer season. For
students and young people, it is an opportunity to earn a little money of their own. However
he was concerned that, in her November Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a
scale back in business rate discounts and announced that there would be no discount at all
from April. This would increase his payments from £12,000 per year, to £18,000 after April
and potentially up to £40,000 per year. He was committed to keeping his business going, for
him it’s a lifestyle choice, but this threat came on top of the extra Employers National
Insurance charges, as well as energy and wholesale food and drink costs which are all
rising.

Last week the Labour government announced a climbdown on forthcoming increases to the
business rates bills faced by pubs in England. Treasury officials say they have recognised
the financial difficulties facing many pubs. Whilst some landlords have banned MPs because
of the increases, the landlord I had spoken to said he would welcome them, so he can
explain to them the challenges which he, and others in the hospitality industry, face. At the
moment it is unclear if the changes will extend to other hospitality businesses as trade
groups have called for. 

Whilst Labour might say they have listened, this change in policy comes soon after the
change to proposals for Agricultural Inheritance tax, benefits and winter fuel policies. It’s a
pity they don’t look at the implications of these changes before they announce them, rather
than creating worry and alarm amongst businesses and residents.