02/06/2026
As a local business, we couldn’t agree more.
VAT is the thing that keeps so many of us up at night. Every quarter there’s that sinking feeling waiting for the next bill to land, knowing a huge chunk of everything you’ve worked for is already gone before you’ve even had chance to breathe.
People often wonder why eating out has become so expensive, but the reality is most independent restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways aren’t putting prices up because they’re greedy — they’re doing it because they’re trying to survive. Energy costs rise, supplier costs rise, wages rise, and on top of all of that, 20% VAT takes a massive bite out of every plate, every coffee and every family meal served.
Even on a really good day, when the restaurant is full, the staff are smiling, and you finally feel like the hard work is paying off, there’s always that thought in the back of your mind: “A fifth of this isn’t ours.” It disappears before it can go back into staff, improvements, better wages, lower prices or even just a little breathing room for the business owner who’s spent years pouring everything into keeping the doors open.
A reduction in VAT from 20% to 10% wouldn’t just help businesses — it would help communities. It would help keep local high streets alive, protect jobs, encourage people to eat out again, and give small independent businesses a fighting chance instead of constantly feeling like they’re treading water.
Most local businesses aren’t asking to become rich. They’re asking for a fair chance to keep serving their communities without feeling crushed under the weight of constant costs and relentless pressure.
Please take a moment to sign and share the petition. Every signature matters, and every bit of support helps small independent businesses like ours feel seen and heard.
And a genuine thank you to Tom for helping bring this issue into the spotlight. So many small independent businesses simply don’t have the reach or platform to raise awareness on this scale, and having someone speak up for the industry means more than people realise.
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/
