Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Railway Bell pub in New Barnet is cutting prices for a day to raise awareness of the challenges facing the UK hospitality industry.
The Railway Bell on East Barnet Road will commemorate Tax Equality Day on Thursday, September 18.
To highlight the advantages of a VAT (value added tax) reduction in the hospitality sector, food and drink prices will be lowered by 7.5%.
The Railway Bell is owned by the Wetherspoon’s chain, which feels that taverns, restaurants, and pubs suffer because they must charge 20% VAT on food whereas supermarkets do not. A £10 bill, for instance, would be £9.25.
According to Weatherspoon’s, this enables supermarkets to provide their goods at a reduced price and subsidize the sale of alcohol.
Tim Martin, the chairman and founder of Wetherspoon, is calling for “the Chancellor to create tax equality between pubs and supermarkets” as part of the campaign.
He mentions how pubs have been under stress for decades to stay afloat because of this tax. Tax Equality Day is meant to shed light on how things could change for pubs, bars and restaurants with a reduced VAT.
The New Barnet pub’s manager, Stephanie Milne, said:
“Customers coming to The Railway Bell on Thursday 18th September will find the price of their food and drink is lower than normal.”
Pubs have been under fantastic pressure for decades due to the tax disadvantages it has with supermarkets.”
How will the event support hospitality workers or charities?
The Railway Bell’s price cut initiative will benefit charities and hospitality workers and is partnering with Hospitality Action, a charity that works directly to offer support to hospitality staff who may be experiencing physical, mental, financial, or personal challenges.
The initiative aligns with the larger industry’s effort to raise awareness of the challenges faced by hospitality workers and businesses. Similar initiatives include fundraising or collection campaigns for Hospitality Action.
Hospitality Action has been supporting hospitality workers with health problems, addiction, family issues, mental health problems, and more, since 1837. Hospitality Action is a safety net for hospitality workers through the difficulties in times of stress, especially with rising energy costs and inflation.