North Yorkshire hospitality boss says Budget falls short of support

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 15:58 · Archive

A North Yorkshire hospitality boss welcomed increased business rates relief in today's Budget but said key cost pressures on pubs and restaurants remain unaddressed.

Simon Cotton, managing director of the Fat Badger Group in Harrogate, has welcomed the increase in Small Business Rates Relief in today's Budget but says it offers only limited relief for pubs and restaurants across the sector.

While acknowledging that the rates relief will provide valuable support for independent operators and smaller venues, Mr Cotton said many hospitality businesses in York and Harrogate continue to face significant cost pressures on multiple fronts. He highlighted the confirmed rise in the National Living Wage as a particular concern, saying it will add substantially to employment costs at a time when wages, National Insurance, utilities, food and supplier costs are already placing enormous pressure on margins.

Although Mr Cotton said he supports fair pay for hospitality workers, he argued that wage increases must be matched with policies enabling businesses to remain competitive, continue investing and create jobs. He also criticised the continued rise in alcohol duty, warning that those costs eventually have to be recovered and risks putting further pressure on prices for consumers.

The biggest disappointment for Mr Cotton was the lack of any mention of reducing VAT for hospitality.

North Yorkshire hospitality boss says Budget falls short of support — Image: The Press (York)

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How it is being reported

North Yorkshire hospitality boss says Budget falls short despite rates reliefSimon Cotton, managing director of the Fat Badger Group in Harrogate, said today's Budget offers only limited relief for pubs and restaurants, as key cost pressures remain unaddressed.The Press (York) · 28 Oct, 15:17
North Yorkshire hospitality boss says Budget falls short despite rates reliefSimon Cotton, managing director of the Fat Badger Group in Harrogate, said today's Budget offers only limited relief for pubs and restaurants, as key cost pressures remain unaddressed.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 28 Oct, 15:17

In this story: Simon Cotton · Fat Badger Group · Harrogate · York

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