I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but sadly for Hospitality I think it’ll be anything but happy. As the busy period comes to an end and the extra taxes kick in, we will now witness a raft of closures and job losses. We have to come together as a sector and strongly urge a U turn.

This is so vague. If you want to help UK businesses, reverse the NI increase and introduce a lower VAT rate for Hospitality.

Successive Governments have both ignored and let Hospitality down. Its the UKs 5th biggest sector and the UKs 3rd biggest employer. Every day our local papers are reporting on the loss of our pubs, restaurants, bars, live music venues etc. Enough is enough, drastic action needs to happen. Currently on the way to London, to host a dinner tonight, bringing together organisations and Trade Bodies from every corner of the Night Time Economy. High on the agenda: Reduction in VAT Reverse the NI increase Review the Reform of Business Rates...it won't help City Centre venues. To many businesses and jobs are at stake to allow this to carry on.