High street hospitality venues across Mid Dorset and North Poole face growing pressure, according to MP Vikki Slade, who says a VAT cut could offer immediate relief for local businesses.
Polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats shows that more than half of people across the South West are worried about losing their local pub, while many fear the closure of bars, nightclubs, cafés and restaurants.
Vikki Slade said local businesses are dealing with rising costs alongside lower customer numbers and the impact of last year’s National Insurance increase. She said the situation has left many independent venues uncertain about the future and unable to manage ongoing financial strain.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a temporary reduction in VAT lasting 17 months. Vikki Slade said many businesses tell her that lowering VAT would make the biggest difference to their stability and help support communities during the Christmas period.
She said that people have less money to spend and that the Chancellor should avoid delivering another Budget that adds pressure to high streets already facing difficult trading conditions.
She added that hospitality remains central to the area and that residents are right to be concerned. She said cutting VAT could help improve confidence and offer support for businesses that play an important role locally.
The MP previously worked in hospitality and has continued to raise the issue at national and local level. She discussed it with Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper at the party conference in September, and she has regularly spoken about the matter in Parliament.
She has also launched a Pub of the Year competition to highlight the importance of local pubs and the challenges they face.
Share us with your friends on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.