‘Small independent businesses need Government support now’

Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plan for growth yesterday NCASS is urging the Government to bring forward a specific growth plan to support the independent hospitality sector.

‘Small independent businesses need Government support now’, Alan Fox, Chief Executive of the Nationwide Caterers Association commented, ‘It continues to be a tough time for small independent hospitality businesses who operate at the forefront of our everyday economy and yet continue to be ignored. Completely viable businesses across the UK are struggling to stay afloat as they are absorbing significantly higher operating costs in a tough economic climate.’

We believe that independent hospitality businesses are vital to the health of our high streets and local communities. The presence of these businesses alone drives investment and growth by creating places where people want to live, work and bring up their families.

NCASS have called on the Government to boost economic growth and support small independent hospitality businesses by:

• Reviewing VAT for small and micro business and replace the VAT threshold with smoother system that avoids a cliff edge
• Create culture and hospitality hubs in town and city centres for local independent businesses
• Enable street trading on private land
• Make it easier to run pop up events and markets on private land to support independent wet led pubs and caterers
• Increase the exemption threshold for NICs changes protecting more small and micro businesses from these additional costs
• Easier to access grants to improve efficiency and safety
• Honeymoon period on new legislation for Small Businesses

We want to hear your thoughts on how government could support you best, please contact us via [email protected]