04/06/2026
Hospitality isn’t just what I do – it’s all I’ve known
For 23 years, hospitality has been the only industry I’ve ever worked in, from employment through to self-employment. During that time, I’ve built lasting relationships with clients who have supported me throughout my journey, many of whom have become friends.
Today, I have never seen the sector under so much pressure.
Rising costs, increasing wages, higher employer National Insurance contributions, business rates, and a 20% VAT rate are placing enormous strain on businesses already operating on tight margins. Many owners are working longer hours, taking less for themselves, and fighting every day just to keep their doors open.
Hospitality is one of the UK’s largest employers and the heart of our communities. It’s where we celebrate birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and milestones. It’s where we gather with friends, family, and colleagues. Yet many businesses feel overlooked and unsupported despite the vital role they play in our economy.
Every day I hear the same thing from my clients: they’re exhausted, worried, and struggling to see a way forward.
In my 23 years in this industry, I’ve never known it to be this difficult.
We often take hospitality for granted, but imagine life without it.
No local pub to meet friends before the match.
No restaurant to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.
No café to catch up with family.
No venue for weddings, community events, and life’s most important moments.
Hospitality creates jobs, supports local economies, brings people together, and contributes billions to the UK economy. Yet many businesses are now fighting simply to survive.
This petition is about giving hospitality a voice and calling for meaningful support on issues such as VAT, business rates, and rising employment costs.
Please sign and share.
Together, we can help protect an industry that employs millions, supports communities, and brings people together every single day.
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/
