Pressure on Chancellor to review business rates mounts ahead of budget
The Chancellor Philip Hammond has faced increasing calls for a review on business rates to be announced in his upcoming budget for the year.
The man in charge of the nation's coffers will announce his plan for the country's next financial year in Parliament on Monday.
And ahead of the announcement Pied à Terre's David Moore (pictured), along with London's deputy mayor for business Rajesh Agrawal, the Alliance of Independent Restaurant's Lawrence Hartley and Lee Lyons of The Fitzrovia Partnership have called for an urgent review on rates.
Moore said: "The restaurant industry in the UK employs millions of people, supporting families all over the country. Restaurants are now struggling to survive and growth is set to show little growth over the new few years.
"There are therefore fewer jobs available and as we approach what could be a turbulent Christmas, businesses are worried - they just can't afford to offer jobs that have traditionally always been available in our entrenched industry.
"Mr. Hammond needs to wake up and see how disastrous the situation is. This is not just a fight to save the popular chains we all know and love, but a battle to give relief to smaller family-run and independent businesses and more importantly, security for their employees."
Lee Lyons, chief operating officer at The Fitzrovia Partnership added: "Fitzrovia is home to over 250 restaurants, bars and cafes in the food and drink quarter of London - a number of which we represent. The growing business rates are therefore a serious concern to us.
"We want to know that our favourite bars, restaurants and cafes will continue to thrive but also that new establishments will be in a position to open without the fear of spiralling costs. We want Fitzrovia to remain a hub with thriving businesses and new openings, not closures."
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