Gaucho introduces VAT-free lunch amid calls for VAT cut

Argentine steakhouse chain Gaucho has revealed plans to serve a VAT-free lunch every Friday in March, starting from this week (8 March).

Diners at Gaucho's 10 central London restaurants will receive 20% off from all a la carte dining bills between 12 and 4pm in a bid to raise awareness about the level of hospitality VAT.

It comes after cross-party MPs backed calls for a VAT cut last month as the industry prepares for the Spring Budget, which is taking place tomorrow (6 March).

The focus on Friday coincides with the Mayor of London's ‘Off-peak Friday' campaign, which will set London pay-as-you-go single fares between 8 March and 31 May at an off-peak rate.

Martin Williams, chief executive of Gaucho, said: "London restaurants have suffered from a double hit caused by the introduction of the tourism tax and the work from home culture. We call for Chancellor Hunt to abolish VAT for tourists in the upcoming Spring budget and at Gaucho, we are joining the Mayor of London in offering a pro-active reason to come in to town, this and every Friday during the coming month.

"After two outstanding years at Gaucho which have seen us grow sales more than 25%, we want to give back to Londoners and step in where the government is failing to do so."

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, added: "This is a fantastic initiative, which I'm sure will be incredibly popular with both Londoners and visitors alike.

"It's a perfect demonstration of what could be possible for venues if the Chancellor acts on the united calls from hospitality to permanently lower the rate of VAT – lower prices, increased demand and busier high streets."

Gaucho was founded in 1994 and has since grown to 20 restaurants.