05/06/2026
Grassroots Music Venues are more than places to see and hear music.
They are community hubs.
They bring people together over a common interest in a time of increased isolation from one another.
They are the space where all you favourite household names got their start.
And yet they are under enormous pressure from rising Rising energy costs. Food inflation. Huge employment costs. Unjust business rates. The highest tax burden in the UK economy.
And on top of all of that — a 20% VAT rate that is among the highest in Europe.
Most of our competitors have a much lower rate. In Germany, it’s as low as 7%. France, Italy and Spain have a 10% rate.
Help support your local Music Venues, Bar, Restaurants and third spaces by signing the petition below.
https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/
The hospitality sector has come together to launch – a united campaign and petition calling for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%.
Spearheaded by chef and publican Tom Kerridge, we’re working alongside trade bodies across the sector, such as and , hospitality communities like , and you, businesses across hospitality, to say 10% VAT is fair for hospitality.
Our sector pays too much tax, and VAT is the single biggest lever the Government can pull to support venues, our customers, our high streets and our local communities.
This campaign is for everyone: businesses, customers, waiting staff, chefs, kitchen porters, bar staff, hotel teams, farmers, brewers, suppliers and producers.
Like, sign the petition and share this post – we need your support to reach a million signatures.
Click the link in our bio to sign the petition 👇
https://www.vatstheproblem.co.uk/
