Award-winning Scottish chef Dean Banks has begged the Scottish Government to ‘level the playing field’ for Scottish hospitality by giving it the same rates relief as is currently enjoyed south of the border.
In England and Wales, 75% rates relief for hospitality businesses has already been in place for a year, and has just been extended as part of the Westminster’s government’s onbgoing efforts to help the sector recover from the twin blows of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis – but so far Holyrood has failed to mirror the move.
With ScotGov’s new budget only a week away, the Scottish industry is pulling out all the stops to promote its call for, at the very least, business rates parity with the rest of the UK. However, in response, the mood music emanating from Holyrood is very much on the theme of ‘there isn’t enough money’.
“I’m worried about what this will mean for our industry, our restaurants, our staff, our lives, our business, our homes, bars and hotels.. and for our country,” said Mr Banks, whose Edinburgh venue Dean Banks at The Pompadour won 2023’s SLTN Award for Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year.
“We produce some of the best food and drink in the world, from seafood to spirits, beer to beef – and the most perfect flavour-packed healthy fruit and vegetables.
“Our restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and coffee shops are renowned the world over for exemplary food, drinks and service, that welcoming spirit that people all over the world associate with Scotland.
“Incredibly creative people who want to welcome you, want to look after you, want you to share their passion and joy for what they do.
“And it is all hanging by a rapidly fraying thread,” he warned. “We have already lost far too many businesses, too many people, some leaving the trade forever … or worse.
“It’s that serious. Livelihoods are at risk, jobs are at risk – but lives are too. People can’t cope with seeing their life’s work cruelly snatched away because a seemingly uncaring government has other priorities,” said Banks.
“Hospitality contributes hugely to Scotland’s economy – so please, give us something back. We are not looking for a handout. We are simply asking them to reduce some costs for an overly taxed sector so that we can keep our staff in jobs,” he stressed.
“We are not unreasonable – just talk to us. Help us some way, cap fuel bills, work on VAT with Westminster. Do something, anything. We’re on the edge of the precipice and it feels like we are about to be shoved off. Please prove us wrong – help us.”
