Nearly 25% of UK pubs and restaurants lose money, research shows

Chef Tom Kerridge is one of the main voices calling for VAT on the hospitality sector to be reduced to 10%. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Nearly a quarter of UK pubs, bars and restaurants are losing money, according to new survey data that came as a group of celebrity chefs and business owners stepped up their campaign for a sector-specific VAT cut.

Spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge, leading figures in the hospitality sector are calling for VAT on the industry to be cut from 20% to 10%.