Restaurateurs seek to turn up the heat on the Chancellor
Mitchells & Butler chairman Bob Ivell is among the signatories of a letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond that calls for “root and branch” reform of business rates.
The casual dining sector has come under huge pressure, with casualties occuring almost weekly. Prezzo, Byron, Jamie’s Italian and Strada are among the big names in the industry which have been forced to restructure or close sites since Christmas.
Ivell is a senior industry figure and has been non-executive chairman of Birmingham-based M&B since 2011, while he is also the president of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. M&B operates 1,700 restaurants and pubs under 18 different brands, including Harvester, All Bar One, Miller & Carter and Nicholson’s.
The letter is timed to put pressure on the Chancelllor ahead of tomorrow’s spring statement.
“We need government action now to reduce the unnecessary costs of doing business if we are to avoid damaging closures and job losses,” it said.
“The sector is at a tipping point and needs focused attention now.”
The industry faces a “perfect storm” of problems, with “soaring business rates, rising employment costs and Brexit-fuelled inflation” highlighted as causing the most problems.
Other signatories to the letter include representatives of Bill’s, Young’s, Stonegate and Novus.
