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Hospitality industry reacts to Reeves' pub support package

Published:  28 January, 2026

The hospitality industry has reacted to yesterday’s announcement by the government that pubs and music venues would receive a rates relief package costing £80m next year alone (as Harpers reported).

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Over 2,000 jobs at risk as Revel Collective files for administration

Published:  27 January, 2026

As reported by the BBC and elsewhere, Revel Collective – the parent company of the Revolution bar chain, Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs – has filed to enter administration.

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Nearly 9,000 hospitality jobs lost since Budget

Published:  20 January, 2026

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025 compared to November 2025.

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Frustration abound: Harpers political temperature survey

Published:  19 January, 2026

As last year drew to a close, after a November Budget the WSTA touted as “death by a thousand cuts”, Harpers set out to take the political temperature of the trade with a survey asking readers what they really thought of a number of government policies.

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Calls for business rates pub relief to extend to all hospitality

Published:  12 January, 2026

Last week’s reports that pubs will see great business rates support has been followed by a chorus of industry figures urging the government to extend the relief to all of hospitality.

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Business rates: Hospitality venues to be hit with £32k hike

Published:  20 December, 2025

Fresh analysis from trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) can reveal that over the next three years hospitality venues in England can expect to see an average increase in business rates of over £32k.

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UK Hospitality Scotland calls for action on rates

Published:  15 December, 2025

Trade body UK Hospitality Scotland has revealed new analysis, suggesting that the Scottish hospitality sector is on course for a £69m business rates hit in 2026/2027 without action from the Scottish Government in its January Budget.

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SIBA issues open letter on Budget concerns

Published:  04 December, 2025

The Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) has sent an open letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, expressing its “deep concern” that the hospitality sector was facing a “crisis of survival” after the recent Budget.

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Leading hospitality businesses demand action at upcoming Budget

Published:  10 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality has called for action ahead of the upcoming Budget in an open letter backed by 345 hospitality businesses.

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One third of UK hospitality businesses operating at a loss

Published:  02 June, 2025

A third of hospitality businesses are operating at a loss and are at risk of failure, according to a survey carried out by UK Hospitality, The British Institute of Innkeeping, the British Beer & Pub Association and Hospitality Ulster.

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Mounting costs drive hospitality confidence to two-year low

Published:  12 March, 2025

Hospitality business confidence has hit a low not seen since October 2022, when inflation peaked at a 40-year high.

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Scottish businesses to pay 'up to 70% more in rates' versus across the border

Published:  22 November, 2024

New analysis released by UKHospitality Scotland has revealed that hospitality businesses will be significantly worse off than their English counterparts, unless the Scottish government takes decisive action to introduce business rates relief in its forthcoming Budget.

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Dramatic wage inflation heightens post-Budget blues

Published:  13 November, 2024

New data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that average weekly earnings in the food and accommodation sector continue to spiral, exacerbating the financial woes of hospitality businesses nationwide.

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Analysis: Trade expresses disappointment over Budget

Published:  04 November, 2024

Failure to tackle some of their most pressing concerns have left trade bodies and operators frustrated. James Bayley rounds up their thoughts.

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Budget review: A ‘horrific’ state of affairs for the trade

Published:  31 October, 2024

An outcry has erupted from the trade following yesterday’s Autumn Budget, which led to disappointment on many fronts, including a measly 1p off draught beer, further rises to duty for wine and a lowered rate of business rates relief which has been described a kick in the teeth to businesses.

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Budget sparks criticism with new alcohol duty reforms

Published:  30 October, 2024

The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries. 

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Chancellor announces pay rise, adding £1.9bn to hospitality wage bill

Published:  30 October, 2024

The hospitality sector is facing a substantial increase in operating costs as the Chancellor confirms a 6.7% rise in the National Living Wage, set to take effect in April 2025. The uplift will raise the hourly rate from £11.44 to £12.21, directly impacting more than 3 million workers and adding an estimated £1.9bn to the hospitality sector’s wage bill.

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Hospitality vacancies fall below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic

Published:  12 September, 2024

The number of job vacancies in the UK’s hospitality sector has dropped below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There are currently 98,000 vacancies in food service and accommodation, marking a reduction on recent years. However, the number remains 5,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000.

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Hospitality industry calls for urgent action on business rates

Published:  10 September, 2024

UKHospitality is urging the government to take immediate action to prevent a sharp rise in business rates for thousands of hospitality businesses, warning that bills could skyrocket in April 2025 without intervention.

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Scottish businesses call for lower VAT

Published:  27 August, 2024

"Less spend, fewer visits and less time spent in venues" is the current reality for the Scottish hospitality sector as businesses face a double whammy of consumer reluctance and rising costs.

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