UKHospitality Cymru is calling for the Welsh Government to provide a similar business rates holiday proposal to that announced yesterday by the Scottish Government for its own hospitality businesses in 2021-22.
UKHospitality Cymru Executive Director, David Chapman (pictured) said, “This renewal of vital support in Scotland must be replicated in Wales as part of a critical financial package that’s desperately needed if we are to continue to protect businesses and jobs in the coming months.
“All of the sector’s businesses are telling me how important this measure is to their commercial survival. Alongside furlough, reduced VAT and supportive sector grants, it has helped to make sure many thousands of people across Wales have still got a job at a time of devastating lockdowns and shutdowns.
“Vaccines offer great hope but we've a long way to go to catch up and trading across the industry is likely to be sub viable for some time- so we will need considerable help to protect jobs and businesses through to the summer and beyond.
“We’re asking for immediate help to see us through the remains of lockdown, a support package for the months that follow and extended furlough, business rates holiday and lower VAT for the industry.”
UKHospitality is also encouraging the wider hospitality sector to join its campaign to send a message to the UK Government to extend the business rates holiday and VAT cut for the sector.
The trade body is encouraging the hospitality to support the campaign and post their videos on social media using the hashtag #hospitalitymatters