20/06/2026
For over a decade, I’ve poured my heart into hospitality.
I’ve celebrated the good times, weathered the difficult ones, and done everything possible to keep serving my community. But the reality is that independent hospitality businesses are under more pressure than ever.
Back in March, I joined fellow independent business owners in Westminster to meet with the Small Business Minister and help deliver a letter signed by more than 130 local businesses from the Southampton area. We wanted Government to hear directly from those of us living these challenges every day.
Now I’m proud to support Tom Kerridge’s new campaign.
This isn’t about special treatment. It’s about giving hospitality a fair chance to survive and thrive.
Our cafés, pubs, restaurants and hotels create jobs, support local suppliers, train young people, and bring life to our towns and cities. Yet while the UK charges 20% VAT on hospitality, countries such as Germany charge 7%, Ireland 9%, and France and Italy 10%. That puts UK businesses at a significant disadvantage.
That’s why I’m backing the call for hospitality VAT to be reduced to 10%.
Because when hospitality succeeds, communities succeed.
This campaign isn’t just about businesses. It directly affects every customer too. As costs continue to rise, businesses are left with little choice but to increase prices, making eating out, meeting for coffee, or celebrating special occasions more expensive for everyone.
If you value your local cafés, pubs, restaurants and hotels, and don’t want to see the prices you pay continue to rise, please support the campaign and sign the petition. We are hoping to reach one million signatures and send a clear message to Government that hospitality matters.
Add your name, add your support, and help save your local venues.
👉 Sign the petition:
https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/home
👉 Learn more about the campaign:
https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/vatstheproblemlaunch/
Hospitality businesses, teams and organisations are urged to sign a new petition calling for Government to cut hospitality VAT to 10%.