Chef Tom Kerridge says the end of a temporary VAT reduction is creating new pressures for hospitality businesses. He warns that restaurants and other family-focused venues face increased costs as demand-linked relief comes to an end.
The measure he refers to is a temporary VAT cut that drops the rate from 20% to 5% for children’s meals in restaurants and for tickets to family attractions. Multiple outlets report that this reduced rate applies only for a limited period, and that the rate is set to revert once the temporary scheme finishes.
While the reporting focuses on the impact on customer prices and operators’ margins, outlets frame Kerridge’s comments as a broader warning about the sector’s financial resilience. The central point across coverage is the timing: the VAT change is occurring while businesses are already operating under tight conditions, prompting calls for further support or reconsideration of VAT policy for family-related spending.
