Pubs and restaurants are being forced to consider reducing opening hours to weather a “perfect storm” of soaring bills and cash-strapped customers cutting their spending this year. The Independent Kate Nicholls OBE independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

Another morning of stories of misery and closures within Hospitality, due to untenable Energy bills. If the CEO of Ofgem, Jonathan Brearley, can't pull these Energy Co's in line, he should step aside from his £300k+ per annum job and allow someone else to sort it, urgently.

..Pre-pandemic energy costs were 4-6% of turnover, they've now become 15-17% of turnover. ..That's why energy is such a big factor in business viability Kate Nicholls OBE UKHospitality

..The average price increase is 85% when we come out of support in April ..We're not seeing the suppliers pass on the drop in energy wholesale prices ..Energy is the game-changer in our sector Kate Nicholls OBE UKHospitality

..Energy suppliers treat the hospitality sector as a risk ..We have vulnerable businesses that need support straight away and some of the suppliers are not passing it through Kate Nicholls OBE UKHospitality

..We need to look at tax incentives to make the transition to energy efficient technology for kitchen refurb viable ..80% want to be more energy efficient but their working capital is tied up in security deposits Kate Nicholls OBE UKHospitality

"If I advertise I get 4 or 5 CVs from abroad, mostly from the EU, people who I can't employ. If we could have full employment all of those people would be generating NI, income tax.. Wealth is not being generated as we aren't operating at full capacity." David Moore, Pied à Terre

Imagine having to take over £800 just to cover your costs and that includes those very quiet wet Mondays THAT'S why I have been saying #SaveHospitality

Worth a listen - Kate Nicholls OBE is fighting hard for the hospitality industry but we all need to add our voice too.

Excellent summary by Kate Nicholls OBE re. significant area of concern for many independent operators, incl us. R energy costs will ⬆️ to £6.5k/month in April up from £2.5k, just 2 years ago. Incredibly gauling, esp when you learn of the gigantic profits energy companies are pocketing

Well said Kate Nicholls OBE it has basically wiped out our ability 2make a profit & invest,repay extra Covid Debts etc Sadly Govt seems content 2just see our Industry decimated when it should be growth generating & rebuilding Tourism too! Only way 2give us a chance is make VAT10% Good Morning Britain

We love this from ALDO ZILLI 🥰 Let's reduce food waste and encourage doggy bags for leftovers when dining out 😍

"British ale is warm, but the duty on a pint is frozen." Jeremy Hunt unveils his new Brexit Pub Guarantee #Budget2023

"The reality for many small businesses particularly in hospitality, is that they're facing real cost pressures now, particularly on energy bills. There is nothing to support businesses through that cliff edge in April when energy support falls away." Kate Nicholls OBE #UKHospitality

"What I did not see in the red book were any plans to reduce VAT for the hospitality industry from 20% to 10%.. I hope the treasury will do the maths, will lower VAT, and allow hospitality to survive and indeed build and grow." Tobias Ellwood MP

NFFF - National Federation of Fish Friers Isan Thai Lakeside Restaurant Kate Nicholls OBE Sassan UKHospitality Chef Paul Askew ThatPubChick 🥂 rick cressman petition.parliament.uk/petitions/6257…

"Funds need to be ring-fenced so they are used to promote and support and develop tourism, not just used as a cash cow to get further tax in to support local services." Kate Nicholls OBE on the Tourist Tax

"Three quarters - of the 4,500 pubs bars and restaurants that have closed- say it's energy, the final nail in the coffin for many businesses. "Nine out of ten of those businesses that have closed are small independent businesses." Kate Nicholls OBE UKHospitality