Calls for Edinburgh tourist tax to kept to minimum repeated
Edinburgh City Council is set to agree the visitor levy later this month (January).
Legislation
EXCLUSIVE
BBPA boss: Operators need to batten down the hatches in 2025
Despite the Labour Government’s vow to be “all about growth”, hospitality firms are now under “extreme pressure”, says BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin.
Legal changes to look out for in 2025
The Morning Advertiser takes a look at the new legislative changes that are set to come into force this year and what this could mean for the industry.
Gov axes funding for communities to buy ACVs
A scheme allowing communities to bid for ownership of local assets, including pubs, has been scrapped due to “challenging” Government finances.
Brewers may be ‘forced to quit glass bottle market’
Some brewers could be forced to quit using glass bottles over the estimated costs for packaging materials in the Government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.
New legislation allows digital IDs in pubs
New legislation allowing customers to use digital IDs to purchase alcohol in pubs, clubs and shops is set to be introduced next year.
Heineken flouts advertising rules with alcohol-free beer promotion
Drinks company Heineken UK has been ordered not to repeat an advertisement showing F1 driver Max Verstappen with its alcohol-free beer in its current form.
UKH encouraged by lack of tourist tax in devolution plan
UKHospitality (UKH) has hailed the absence of introducing a tourist tax in the Government’s devolution white paper plans.
Non-Domestic Rating Bill is a ‘sticking plaster’ for business rates issues
Business rates have continued to be a “barrier to investment” for the hospitality sector, leaving pubs “uniquely disadvantaged”, industry leaders told the Non-Domestic Rating Bill Committee.
Welsh Budget provides 'lifeline' for hospitality firms
The measures announced in the Welsh Budget provided a “lifeline” for hospitality firms but long-term business rates reformation must be introduced, trade bodies have said.
75% of NTE staff fear job cuts
Three quarters of night-time economy staff expressed concerns that businesses may face financial strain, potentially leading to reduced shifts or layoffs.
UKH calls on Welsh Gov to implement 40% biz rates relief
Trade body UKHospitality Cymru (UKH C) has called on the Welsh Government to implement a 40% business rates relief for hospitality businesses ahead of the Welsh Budget.
‘National Insurance increase was the wrong decision’
The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington caught up with top chef Tom Kerridge to get his take on the week’s events.
Sector welcomes measures announced in Scottish Budget
Trade bodies have welcomed the “positive measures” detailed in the Scottish Budget but warned “challenges remain” for hospitality firms.
‘Pubs much more than casks, carpets & beer pumps’
The Government needs to resist the temptation to “regulate and screw the industry” a pubco boss has told MPs and industry leaders.
OPINION
Gov ‘doesn’t have a clue' about damage on sector
Does the Government actually understand the damage it’s budget had inflicted on the hospitality sector?
NICs hike will mean 10% rise in employment cost
The increase in employer national insurance contributions (NICs), which is set to come into force in April 2025, will mean a 10% rise in the cost of employment per person, research has found.
Trade bodies caution Government over Employment Rights Bill impact
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and UKHospitality (UKH) have warned the Government about potentially negative effects of the Employment Rights Bill.
There will be ‘blood on the carpet’ following the Budget
There will be “blood on the carpet” after the Budget but firms must not “lose sight” of their goals, Hook Norton managing director James Clarke told The Morning Advertiser (The MA).
Proposed allergen guidance ‘needs to be flexible’
Flexibility should underpin allergen guidance, one trade body has stated.
NIC rise will have bigger impact than changes to Employment Rights Bill
Increased Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will “immediately impact” employment more than changes to the Employment Rights Bill, one trade body has warned.
UKH CEO cites benefits of Get Britain Working plans
UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls has said the introduction of the Get Britain Working white paper will be beneficial to the on-trade by bringing more people into jobs.
Gov's Industrial Strategy 'overlooks pubs and breweries'
The Government’s Industrial Strategy “overlooks pubs and brewers” and risks economic growth, industry leaders have warned.
Trade bodies welcome ‘critical milestone’ in fight against spiking and violence
Trade bodies have welcomed a Government pledge to keep “women and girls safe at night” with a crackdown on spiking that will see it become a new criminal offence.
UKH Scotland calls for 40% business rates relief ahead of Budget
Firms in Scotland will be “significantly” worse off than their English counterparts without business rates support in the upcoming Scottish Budget, one trade body has warned.
Rising inflation and energy prices 'ominous warning'
Higher than expected inflation and energy prices an “ominous warning” of what could come in April, industry leaders have warned.
Wells & Co invests in French estate due to 'negative' Budget impacts
Wells & Co has will direct its capex funds overseas rather than the UK as a result of the autumn Budget, which will have a "prolonged negative impact on consumer confidence".
Welsh gov move to abandon DRS ‘extremely disappointing’
The Welsh branch of UKHospitality has labelled a move by the country’s Government to abandon the UK-wide deposit return scheme (DRS) as “extremely disappointing”.
Plans to permanently cut business rates must 'level the playing field'
Industry leaders warn measures to permanently cut business rates must be part of a “bigger picture” to reduce the “unfair tax burden” on the sector.
City nightclub facing closure due to lease expiration
Motion, a popular night-time live music venue located in Avon Street in Bristol, has announced it may be closing its doors come July 2025.
New fraud guidance will hold firms to account
New anti-fraud guidance was published on Wednesday 6 November, outlining crucial advice for organisations around the new corporate criminal offence, ‘Failure to Prevent Fraud’.
25% of independent pubs facing closure after 'devastating' Budget
One in four (25%) independent pubs are set to fail as a result of the hikes in unemployment costs and business rates, a survey has shown.
What the national insurance contribution changes mean
Following the alterations to employers' national insurance contributions, one financial expert has outlined what these mean for operators.
90% of venues struggling with extreme costs
Nine in 10 night-time firms are battling extreme costs, following the Budget last month (October).
Business leaders’ confidence declines amid increasing cost rises
Optimism among Britain’s hospitality leaders has dropped amid extreme pressures on margins and consumer visits, research has found.
Interest rates cut 'overshadowed' by looming cost increases
The Bank of England (BoE) has reduced interest reduced interest rates by 0.25%, but “£3.4bn worth of cost increases still looming” for hospitality firms.
Operators left in fear following Budget announcements
Some 82% of operators have admitted they fear for the future of pubs following Rachel Reeves' Budget announcements, according to recent data from the UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA).
Sector reacts as pubs exempt from outdoor smoking ban
Industry leaders have welcomed news pubs will be exempt from the potential outdoor smoking ban as some operators brand the proposal a “waste of Government time”.
Gov axes plans to introduce smoking ban in pub gardens
Plans to introduce a smoking ban in pub gardens have been scrapped, the Government has confirmed.
New business rates system ‘ill-thought-out’
Plans to reform business rates in 2026 have been “ill-thought-out” despite pledging to address the imbalance between bricks and mortar and online businesses.
OPINION
OPINION: First Budget proves Gov is not ‘pro business’
It took Chancellor Rachel Reeves 77 minutes to demolish any hope that, despite its claims, this is a Government that is ‘pro-business’.
BUDGET 2024
Key points from the Budget in summary
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years, with many from the on-trade raising concerns over moves that will affect operators.
BUDGET 2024
Operators hit back at ‘disappointing’ Budget
Pub operators have responded to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget with disappointment, warning of the possibility of further pub closures and adding thousands to their already escalating costs.
BUDGET 2024
1p off a draught pint but other dispense formats will see duty rise
The Government’s “commitment to support smaller brewers” came in the form of a 1.75% reduction in beer/cider duty for draught products in the Budget.
BUDGET 2024
Employer national insurance contributions to rise
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced an increase in employer national insurance contributions as the autumn Budget was announced.
BUDGET 2024
Business rates relief slashed but system will be overhauled in 2026
Pubs will suffer in the short term after their pleas for the 75% business rates relief to remain were replaced with a 40% reduction in the Budget – but an overhaul of the system will take place in 2026/27.
BUDGET 2024
'2025 will be painful for hospitality'
We’ll be reporting the latest from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget statement and its impact on the trade.
Lord: Gov support vital to avoid high streets being ‘decimated’
High streets will be “decimated” without support for the hospitality sector in the Budget on Wednesday (30 October), according to night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord.
Sector urged to 'remain proactive' during new fraud prevention laws
Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has responded to new anti-fraud legislation, which is set to come into force in the coming months.
New harassment legislation: NTIA calls for 'full commitment' to change
Legislation on harassment introduced this month (October), marks a significant milestone in improving employee protections throughout the UK’s night-time economy, one trade body has stated.