Pub companies have called for a delay to the increase in value-added tax (VAT) following December's wintry weather, which has affected sales.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has written to pubs minister Bob Neill with the request, echoing a call from the British Fashion Council's Harold Tillman to set the higher-rate VAT implementation date further back.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds commented: "The run up to Christmas is normally one of the busiest times for pubs as people from all walks of life meet in pubs to celebrate the festive season.
"The very cold snap over the last few weeks has had a considerable adverse effect on pubs as parties have been cancelled and people struggle to travel. If there was any consideration by ministers that the VAT increase should be postponed, it would provide considerable help to the industry."
The VAT hike was announced by chancellor George Osborne earlier this year and is set to come into effect on January 4th 2011.
5 Jan 2011
Licensed property news: Pub industry calls for delay in VAT rise
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment