Business rates will cost sector £864m in April

With the rate of inflation in September revealed as 6.7%, it is now confirmed that the planned inflation-linked rise in April will cost hospitality businesses an additional £234m.

Trade body UKHospitality has said that with the £630m that the ending of rates relief would simultaneously represent, this combination would leave hospitality facing £864m in business rate costs next April. 

Restaurant operators are being encouraged to write to their MPs to stress the need for action at the Autumn Statement.

"These figures finally confirm the bleak picture facing hospitality businesses next April," says UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls. "Almost a billion pounds in extra costs from business rates alone is unfathomable – and insurmountable – for many.

"It’s imperative that the chancellor takes clear action at the Autumn Statement to extend the current relief measures for a further year to protect the vital community assets that make up the UK’s vibrant hospitality sector."

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