RACHEL Reeves is being warned the “clock is ticking” for hospitality — amid fears six venues will close every day.
The Chancellor has been put on notice after resisting calls to extend business rates help beyond pubs.
The hospitality industry says every day half a dozen establishments, mostly restaurants, cafés, hotels and B&Bs, face closure in a major threat to town centres.
UKHospitality boss Kate Nicholls said: “We understand the challenges but the whole sector is struggling.
“The clock is ticking to reach a whole-sector solution to protect jobs, livelihoods and communities.”
But Sir Keir Starmer yesterday refused to say if the Chancellor was planning to row back on her business rates rise, despite average increases over three years estimated at £32,000.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the whole of the hospitality industry was being “clobbered by Labour’s tax hikes”.
The PM said her concern came as a surprise, saying 7,000 pubs closed under the Tories — “and, as Business Secretary, she didn’t say a word about it”.
Earlier in the week, The Sun reported that business chiefs were hopeful of a breakthrough on business rates support that would extend beyond help for the pubs sector.
Bosses representing hotels and restaurants were due to sit down with the Treasury as they sought a boost for the High Street.
Music venues are also demanding more support.
Nicholls said support needs to go beyond pubs.
She said: “Neighbourhood restaurants, independent hotels and inns – they are at the heart of their communities.
“Providing local jobs and supporting local farmers and food manufacturers. It needs a whole hospitality solution.”
