Hospitality businesses across Mid Dorset and North Poole are being urged to get urgent clarity on business rates amid warnings that many venues are close to closure.
The Liberal Democrat MP for the area, Vikki Slade, said reports that ministers may scale back planned rises in business rates for pubs could represent the final opportunity to support struggling hospitality businesses, but only if the changes apply across the whole sector.
She said many local venues were already under severe pressure from rising costs and uncertainty, adding that support focused solely on pubs would leave large parts of the hospitality industry exposed.
Vikki Slade said it was “absolutely urgent” for ministers to outline their plans, warning that businesses needed certainty to plan ahead and protect jobs in local communities.
The Liberal Democrats are also calling for an emergency cut to VAT for hospitality businesses, arguing it would help reduce costs, support employment and bring more activity back to local high streets.
As MP, Vikki Slade has met with pub landlords and brewers across Mid Dorset and North Poole, including a recent visit to Eight Arch Brewing Co, where concerns were raised about business rates, alcohol taxation and the rising cost of energy, ingredients and staffing.
She said lower duty on lower strength beers could favour larger producers, while smaller breweries often lack the resources to reformulate products and absorb rising costs.
In a statement, she said: “This really is the last chance saloon for our hospitality sector. Support must apply to all hospitality businesses, not just pubs, because the entire sector is on the edge.”
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