Pubs support VAT campaign

PUB AND bar owners in Calderdale have backed calls for the government to cut VAT on drinks sales.

The Campaign for Pubs, who promote, support and protect pubs, has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to support community pubs by cutting VAT to five per cent for 12 months, for all sales in pubs.

The Campaign for Pubs have been campaigning for a 12-month VAT cut for all hospitality businesses. However in the summer statement, the Chancellor only cut VAT for food and soft drinks, which gave a huge boost to large fast food chain restaurants – and gave no help to small wet-led pubs. Paul Mansley, from The Puzzle Hall Inn, said: “Community pubs offer much more in addition to socialising over a pint, but for many of us this is the only source of income to support the business and the comclosed munity element of our role. “Like our own Puzzle Hall community pubs are often small, wet sales led.

“Our size and layout make it impossible to accommodate enough customers to break even under current social distancing rules so we sit behind doors and watch our reserves slowly dwindle to meet our fixed costs.

“A cut in VAT would help us to make ends meet from fewer customers whilst fulfilling our community responsibility.”

Euan Noble, owner of The Millers Bar, Brighouse, also supports the idea.

He said: “Pubs provide a hub for the community and are vital for employment.

“While this would be an important step to help covering operating costs, it certainly isn’t a magic bullet and many venues are one, two or even more years away from getting back to where they were pre-Covid 19.

“Until a vaccine is found and rolled out, meaning social distancing can be safely relaxed, pubs and many other venues will be limited in how well they can trade or even survive.”

Pubs provide a hub for the community and are vital for employment