08/06/2026
A personal note from me today.
I’ve owned The Weir for 24 years, and have been in hospitality my whole life. As were my parents before me. And I’m watching, genuinely scared for its future.
100,000 jobs gone in two years. Venues that have been the heart of their communities for decades are gone. 762 UK hospitality businesses closed between January and March this year. That’s not just the loss of jobs, but the loss of culture and community.
People think it’s about getting more customers through the door. It’s not. It’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Food inflation. Utility bills. National insurance. Business rates. Staff costs. It never stops.
And sitting on top of all of it is VAT. One of the highest hospitality rates in Europe. Germany pays 7%. France, Spain and Italy pay 10%. Ireland as low as 9%. Most countries protect their hospitality sector with a reduced rate. We don’t.
We are being squeezed from every direction, with no relief in sight.
Relieve that pressure, and businesses don’t just survive, they grow, they hire, they invest in their communities. Cut VAT, and you don’t just save pubs. You save the people, the jobs, the places that make where you live feel like home.
I’m backing the campaign led by Tom Kerridge. Please sign the petition here - https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/ . It takes less than a minute.
Thank you. It really does mean everything.
Joanne x
