The Wittering backs national campaign
calling for fairer hospitality
“VAT at 10% is fair for hospitality. It’s time to support the places that bring us together.”
Hospitality has always been about more than food on a plate or a drink at the bar. It’s the birthday lunches, the post-beach pints, the long-overdue catch-ups, the family roasts, the live music nights, the “go on then, one more” moments. It’s where communities come together. And around here, that matters.
That’s why The Wittering is backing the national #VATsThe Problem campaign, calling on the Government to reduce hospitality VAT from 20% to 10%.
“The campaign, spearheaded by Tom Kerridge and supported by hospitality businesses across the UK, has a simple message: VAT at 10% is fair for hospitality.”
Why this matters to The Wittering
Like so many independent hospitality businesses, The Wittering is proud to be part of the local community. We work with suppliers, create jobs, welcome visitors, support local events, and give people a place to gather, eat, drink and linger a little longer.
But the pressure on hospitality has never been greater. Food prices have risen. Energy costs remain high. Employment costs have increased. Business rates are still a heavy weight. And on top of all that, hospitality businesses in the UK continue to face a VAT rate of 20%.
That’s a lot to absorb before we’ve even poured your pint or sent a plate out of the kitchen.
This isn’t just a business issue. It’s a community one. When hospitality struggles, high streets struggle. Local jobs are put at risk. Suppliers feel the squeeze. Customers see prices rise. And the places that bring people together become harder to keep open.
What the campaign is asking for
The #VATsTheProblem campaign is calling for hospitality VAT to be reduced from 20% to 10%. Many European countries already apply lower VAT rates to hospitality. The campaign argues that a fairer rate here in the UK would help protect jobs, support local businesses, keep venues open and give the industry room to breathe.
For independent venues, that breathing room matters. It helps us keep investing in our teams, our suppliers, our menus, our events and the experience we want every guest to have when they walk through the door.
What the campaign is asking for
We love being part of this community. We love seeing The Wittering full of familiar faces, new visitors, sandy shoes, muddy paws, celebrations, quiet lunches and busy summer nights.
We want places like ours, and thousands of other pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels across the UK, to keep doing what they do best.
So we’re asking our customers, neighbours, friends and fellow hospitality supporters to back the campaign. Please take a minute to sign the petition and add your voice. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it helps show the Government that hospitality matters.
Because good food, good drinks and good local places are worth standing up for.
Sign the petition and support the campaign
Join thousands of others in calling for a fairer VAT rate of 10% for the hospitality industry. Your voice makes a difference.
Share your support with #VATsTheProblem