Eat out to help local business, urges MP
THE Chancellor has announced a muchneeded boost for tourism and hospitality businesses in Southport, as part of his Summer Economic Update to kick-start the economy after coronavirus.
Southport’s Conservative MP, Damien Moore, has welcomed the measures, including a cut in VAT for hospitality, accommodation and attraction businesses from 20% to 5% for six months.
The move is designed to support the sectors which have been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, helping businesses to recover and boosting the number of jobs across the country.
Up to 490 businesses could stand to benefit from the measures in Southport.
Mr Moore has also urged local people to take advantage of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out discount at restaurants, pubs and cafes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August.
The scheme will entitle everyone to a discount of up to 50% on their meal, up to a maximum of £10 per person.
Businesses can claim the money back from the Government, which will be paid in five working days.
Up to 230 businesses in Southport could benefit from the move.
Taken together, these measures will provide a timely and muchneeded boost to the tourism and hospitality industries in Southport, forming a key part of the Government’s plan for jobs – supporting people to find jobs, creating new jobs and protecting jobs in hard-hit sectors.
Mr Moore said: “We should not underestimate how difficult recent months have been for many businesses in Southport.
“Now that the virus is coming under control, we must turn our attention to creating and protecting jobs.
“I hope that everyone in Southport will answer the call to Eat Out to Help Out.
“This fantastic new voucher scheme, along with the cut in VAT, is the much-needed lifeline many businesses have been calling for.
“Our plan for jobs will turn our national recovery into millions of stories of personal renewal – as the Conservatives continue to stand squarely behind people, businesses and our economy.”