Manchester’s night time economy tsar Sasha Lord has voiced concerns over the state of the hospitality industry ahead of the chancellor’s Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement. Many in the restaurant and bar business have expressed fears that when VAT increases back to pre-pandemic levels next month it could spell disaster for their businesses.
“I am concerned for the North. At a time when we are supposed to be levelling up, we are only seeing the divide between rich and poor widen,” said Lord.
"The Chancellor says tax increases are needed now in order to calm future fiscal problems, but while this long term view is commendable, it is critically short sighted when so many are suffering financially today, and having to make choices on whether to spend their wages on food or heating.
