Economy #business rates#tax cuts
Birmingham Michelin Chef Says Business Rates Cut 'Not Enough' for Struggling Restaurants
Michelin-starred chef Alex Claridge, owner of Birmingham's The Wilderness, says the government's 20% business rates reduction for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues does not go far enough and omits restaurants, cafés, hotels, and cinemas. He calls for a VAT reduction instead, warning that many independent hospitality businesses are barely breaking even despite full dining rooms.
Jul 23, 2026 1 source