‘We look forward to Sunak recognising pubs’ contribution’
The former Chancellor beat Penny Mordaunt to the premiership after she dropped out of the race, following Liz Truss’ resignation announcement last week.
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is a critical time for hospitality businesses as they battle soaring energy costs, workforce shortages and waning consumer confidence so stable political leadership is absolutely critical.
“Now is the time to steady the economy, deliver for the needs of our country and support businesses to help drive growth and create jobs.
“Hospitality clearly displayed its ability to grow prior to the pandemic and was on the road to a strong recovery before the energy crisis hit. It can return to those levels through pragmatic decision-making that eases the acute challenges businesses are facing.
“We worked very closely with the new Prime Minister in his previous role and we look forward to working with him again to address the current strain on businesses and bolster consumer confidence.”
Contribution of nation's pubs
Nicholls encouraged Sunak to extend business rates relief, reform the business rates system in the longer term and reduce the current rate of VAT.
Furthermore, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) chief executive Steve Alton shared his calls on the Government, in light of Sunak becoming Conservative Party leader.
He tweeted: “As Rishi Sunak is confirmed as Prime Minister, we look forward to him again recognising the unique economic, employment and community contribution of our nation’s pubs.
“Without urgent, meaningful further support, they will be lost to every community.”
The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill said the body looked forward to working with the new Prime Minister in his new role and echoed Alton's calls for support.
He added: "[We] hope he can address the current instability, uncertainty and begin a journey to build back consumer confidence for night-time economy and hospitality businesses.
"At such a critical time for our sector with many businesses on a cliff edge, I would remind him 10% of something is better than 20% of nothing.
"At the next Budget announcement, I would encourage him to extend business rates relief, reform the entire business rates system and lower the current rate of VAT. Independent businesses will not survive without it."
Previous poll
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) national chairman Nik Antona offered his congratulations on behalf of the consumer organisation and its 160,000 members.
He added: "We look forward to working with the new Prime Minister to tackle the crisis facing pubs, clubs, brewers and cidermakers across the UK.
"I want to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to the Prime Minister to join me at the George & Dragon pub in his constituency to talk further about CAMRA's aims for the beer and pub industry.
"This community-owned pub and previous winner of our prestigious 'Pub of the Year' award, is a fantastic example of of everything a pub can be and I believe it is urgent the UK's pubs, social clubs, breweries, cider producers are made a priority by [the] Government.
"The sector needs ongoing support on energy bills lasting beyond April 2023, the positive reforms from the alcohol duty review to be implemented as quickly as possible, a cut on VAT for on-trade food and alcohol and reform of the business rates system."
Meanwhile, prior to the announcement of Sunak’s new appointment, JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin said the former Chancellor would be the best choice for Prime Minister.
Furthermore, in a poll by The Morning Advertiser (MA) earlier this year, just after previous Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned, Sunak was readers’ preference to become the Conservative Party leader.
The MA asked ‘which of the final two PM contenders do you think would be better for the pub sector?’
Of the 105 votes, 61% were in favour of Rishi Sunak and the remaining 39% opted for Liz Truss.
