There were 382 fewer licensed pubs, restuarants and cafes in December compared to the three months before, according to consumer intelligence firm NIQ. That’s 4 hospitality businesses closing every day…
NIQ hospitality operators director Karl Chessell warned this “shows the toll that relentless increases in operating costs are taking on hospitality.” Meanwhile, Reeves is expected to block any meaningful reform of business rates for pubs this week, despite Labour heavily trailing that they would U-turn on the changes. Instead, there will just be a temporary “support package” for pubs, which could include a time-limited cap on rising rates bills. A sticking plaster that doesn’t even extend to the rest of the sector…
After being blocked from standing at the Gorton and Denton by-election, Andy Burnham said at the Centre for Social Justice:
“I’m very much focussing on my job. I’ve said everything I think I’m going to say about that.”