The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has lobbied for support throughout the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis for its members.
It is calling on the Government to look at an inclusive support package including any VAT cuts and financial relief helping the night-time sector and independents.
Frozen out
NTIA chief executive officer Michael Kill said: “We fear independent hospitality and night-time economy businesses are being frozen out of future support.
“As was the case during the pandemic with VAT cuts only aligned to food, soft drinks and accommodation.
“At that time, wet-led businesses were marginalized by the Government and we fear they will continue to be while the predominance of representation in [the] Government is influenced by wealthy corporations and the trade associations that back them.
“It’s about time the true night-time economy and hospitality sector made up of independents, predominantly small medium enterprise businesses are heard and considered by the Government.”
True parity
Kill went on to warn of many firms being lost in the near future and called for targeted support.
He added: “We will only have true parity when the likes of VAT cuts and targeted financial relief are inclusive and beneficial to all businesses across the sector, not exclusive to certain types of businesses.
“Under the current cost constraints, a huge proportion of the hospitality and night-time economy businesses will be lost in the coming weeks and months, leaving many to become an opportunity for cheap acquisitions by corporations with financial scope to expand their empires.
“The rhetoric suggesting the rich will get rich is all but true in our sector as we move into darker times, we must fight far and inclusive support for all within the Government, in the fight for survival.”
