Sheffield night-time industry ambassador calls for 'leeway' from the Chancellor this week
It's ahead of Rachel Reeves' upcoming spring statement on Wednesday
The ambassador for Sheffield's night-time industry association is calling on the government 'not to bleed the hospitality industry dry' this week.
It's ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Statement on Wednesday - while business costs are set to increase next month anyway - with things like national insurance & minimum wage set to go up.
Those changes were announced by Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget - & Nick Simmonite - who also runs the Frog & Parrot pub in Sheffield - says it's creating apprehension in the city centre:
"The cost of employing team members and staff is going to go through the roof.
"Similarly, we can expect changes with the relief to business rates.
"We're not daft, we know what's happening. Things are going to go up with a bit of a bump, which has caused some nervousness amongst my peer group.
"Some local nightclub operators fear that things aren't going to stack up for them, but we'll do our best to get through it.
"We plan ahead so there are no surprises. Whether it's the bars on West Street or Carver Street, they know what's coming.
"Belts have been tightened, costs have been trimmed, suppliers have been pressured to give us the right kind of deal just so that we can keep these pending price increases to a minimum.
"This week, I hope the Chancellor looks at things like VAT and the relaxation of beer duty.
"There's some good people in Sheffield recently who've decided that they can't run a pub or bar purely on passion anymore; they've got to pay bills as well.
"Those of us that work together in the city centre will make sure that we'll absorb whatever costs we can and keep pressure on the suppliers to make sure the price of a pint or a vodka & tonic is reasonable.
The Spring Statement will be delivered in the House of Commons on Wednesday directly after Prime Minister's Questions.
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