The government has ushered in new policies to slash red-tape for incipient hospitality businesses, but rates reform – the key to high street recovery – is still nine months away from a new multiplier formula and the wait is even longer for consultations to come up with a lasting solution to the business rates model. .The government has ushered in new policies to slash red-tape for incipient hospitality businesses, but rates reform – the key to high street recovery – is still nine months away from a new multiplier formula and the wait is even longer for consultations to come up with a lasting solution to the business rates model. .
This week the government unveiled new plans to “slash red tape” faced by hospitality businesses, a move it said would “breathe fresh life” into the beleaguered British high street.
A statement released by the Department for Business and Trade detailed what it claimed to be a “overhaul” of planning and licensing regs, permitting new cafes, bars and music venues to swiftly take the place of disused retail units.
Meanwhile, it said that new “hospitality zones” would be designated, within which applications for alfresco dining and drinking venues would be fast-tracked.
Additionally, and presumably to the chargrin of almost every resident within spitting distance, new protections will be put in place to protect these new businesses from complaints about the noise from locals.
The new policies form part of Labour’s wider Small Business Plan, wherein as per the party’s manifesto, its Plan for Change aims to “rejuvenate smaller business and put more money in people’s pockets.”
“This Government has a plan to replace shuttered up shops with vibrant places to socialise turning them into thriving cafés or busy bars, which supports local jobs and gives people a place to get together and catch up over a beer or a coffee,” remarked business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
But despite “strongly welcoming” the announcement, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls argued that they fell well short of the heavy-lifting required to right the ship.
“Positive and encouraging as these measures certainly are, they can’t on their own offset the immediate and mounting cost pressures facing hospitality businesses,” she said. “Let’s hope that this is just the start of a bold, long term plan for the high streets and hospitality, with reforms implemented swiftly and the promise of permanent lower business rates delivered in full at the next Budget to secure these new opportunities for all.”
Scratchng the surface
Jonathan Reynolds said… “This Government has a plan to replace shuttered up shops with vibrant places to socialise turning them into thriving cafés or busy bars, which supports local jobs…
Kate Nicholls said… “Positive and encouraging as these measures certainly are, they can’t on their own offset the immediate and mounting cost pressures facing hospitality businesses…
