VAT hike from 12.5% to 20% for Derry pubs, cafés and restaurants branded 'April Fools' joke'

A hike in the VAT rate from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent for Derry pubs, cafés and restaurants has been described as an 'April Fools' joke' by the hospitality lobby.
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The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill said the increase, which took effect this morning, is something the sector could do without.

The hospitality industry has branded the rise as a ‘body blow’ by the Treasury in London just when customers were starting to come back out to bars and restaurants post Covid.

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Mr. Neill said: “The irony of this rate moving to 20% on April Fools' Day after everything we have come through, and all we still have to face as a sector, is not lost on us. In fact it’s no laughing matter.

The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill has described a hike in VAT for pubs, cafés and restaurants as an April Fools' joke.The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill has described a hike in VAT for pubs, cafés and restaurants as an April Fools' joke.
The Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill has described a hike in VAT for pubs, cafés and restaurants as an April Fools' joke.
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“Let’s take this in context, the sector has been effectively closed for the best part of two years, incurring a huge debt burden, and now with energy costs through the roof the entire supply chain to the hospitality sector have put their prices up as they are also under pressure.”

He claimed that the government and energy suppliers are not responsible for the cost of living crisis that we all face, but he said the government is responsible for measures to mitigate the impact, 'like keeping VAT at 12.5%'.

“We have talked long and hard about the need to future proof the hospitality sector to make it financially viable for business owners, and we have heard from the Chancellor about his commitments, but so far they have failed to deal with an issue that places many businesses in the danger zone," he said.