A chain of pubs which includes venues in south Shropshire is backing a campaign to cut VAT rates as costs skyrocket.
Darren Dixon is the man behind Ye Olde Bull Ring Tavern in Ludlow and the Three Tuns in Bishop's Castle and is is one of the 175,000 people backing the ‘VAT's the Problem’ campaign.
It is calling on the government to halve the 20 per cent tax paid by hospitality businesses.
Spearheaded by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, the campaign said pubs and restaurants were under huge pressure from rising costs and highlighted how the UK has one of the highest VAT rates in Europe. In France, Spain and Italy, it is 10 per cent, and just 7 per cent in Germany.
Pub manager Reanne Hicks said they like to get behind causes as they hope it will make a difference to the sector they love so much and work in with pride.
She said that while Ye Olde Bull Ring Tavern, which dates back to the 14th-century, would get through the current climate of rising costs, they were noticing people couldn't afford to go out as much.
As people continue to feel the pinch with the rising cost of living and they are watching their spending even when they go out, she said the pub was lucky as punters were still keen to try it out after it reopened under the new management last year.
But that doesn't stop Miss Hicks feeling like the government doesn't care as it watches the industry struggle.
“Our pubs are more than just places to eat and drink," the 25-year-old said. "They’re where friendships are built, milestones are celebrated, and some of life’s funniest stories begin. They’re the heart of our communities—bringing people together through good times, difficult times, and everything in between.
"The hospitality industry supports millions of jobs, local suppliers, and the social fabric of towns and villages across the country. We believe it’s something worth protecting."
Calling on its customers to back the campaign to help support the future of hospitality to avoid a world without pubs, laughter across the table and unforgettable moments with friends, she said: "That's a message we stand behind wholeheartedly over here because of how passionate we all are about our jobs, this sector and the community around us."
A spokesperson for the Treasury said: "We have the right economic plan - we're backing hospitality by cutting VAT on family attractions and kids meals this summer, reforming business rates, with a £4.3bn support package to limit bills rises, capping corporation tax at 25 per cent, cutting red tape and taking action on the cost of living to boost the sector."
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