Cornwall pub calls for extension to Covid support for businesses on budget day
The Peterville Inn at St Agnes warns many are facing a cliff-edge in April, when relief schemes end
Last updated 27th Oct 2021
The boss of a Cornish pub is calling for an extension to coronavirus support schemes for hospitality businesses on budget day.
Lara Trubshaw runs The Peterville Inn at St Agnes, alongside husband Tom, and warns many are facing a cliff-edge when relief schemes end in April.
Like many businesses, The Peterville has been affected by Covid restrictions and lockdowns.
Since taking over the pub 15 months ago, Lara and Tom have been forced to close for a total of six months.
Now the couple are calling on the Chancellor to extend Covid support, or at least make sure not everything ends at once.
Lara said: "When business rate support is removed and also the VAT reduction is also removed simultaneously, it's really scary for a lot of businesses that their outgoings will suddenly increase so rapidly.
"What I would really like to see is some kind of extension to the support available to hospitality.
"Failing that, I would like to see at least some staircasing so that the impact isn't quite so sudden because a sudden impact could be devastating for lots of businesses, especially those that don't have any reserves in the bank".
What do we know about Budget: 2021?
The Chancellor is also under pressure to address the rising cost of living when he addresses the Commons on Wednesday.
A £5.9 billion funding package for the NHS and major investment in education are among the cash boosts that have already been revealed.
The freeze on public sector pay will be lifted and the minimum wage is being raised too.
However, that comes alongside a hike in National Insurance, the cut to Universal Credit and soaring household bills, which unions warn will leave many struggling families unable to cope.
More information on what we can expect can be found in our Budget: 2021 guide.