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Barr and Barr’s Hospitality, a South of England pub operator, has launched a campaign urging the UK government to lower VAT for hospitality businesses to match the European average of 12.8%. The company operates three pubs in Loxwood, Henfield, and Winfrith. As part of the campaign, rewards card members receive 7.2% off drinks purchases until the end of May, reflecting the difference between the UK’s 20% VAT rate and the European average.
Barr and Barr’s Hospitality has launched a campaign urging the UK government to cut hospitality VAT from 20 % to the European average of 12.8 %. The company is offering a 7.2 % discount on drinks at three pubs for rewards‑card members until May 31, 2026.
The 7.2 % rebate mirrors the VAT gap between the UK and the EU: 20 % minus 12.8 % equals 7.2 %. A YouGov poll commissioned by UKHospitality found that 79 % of respondents support lowering hospitality VAT, while the sector is estimated to support roughly 3.5 million jobs nationwide.
For distributors and retailers, the rebate signals that a future VAT cut would reduce costs across the supply chain. Retail buyers can use the 79 % support figure as leverage when negotiating pricing flexibility with suppliers.
Operators—particularly those running independent venues—can view the discount period as an opportunity to compare cost structures. The three pubs are offering the rebate only to rewards‑card members, so operators can assess whether that incentive boosts footfall and repeat business by comparing the 7.2 % lift against current beverage margins.
The temporary rebate ends May 31, 2026, giving operators and distributors a fixed point to assess impact.
Original Press Release
South of England pub operator Barr and Barr’s Hospitality has launched a new campaign calling on the UK Government to reduce VAT for hospitality businesses to match the European average of 12.8%, warning that soaring costs are driving Britain towards the reality of the “£10 pint”.
Barr and Barr’s Hospitality operates three well known community pubs across the South of England: The Onslow Arms in Loxwood, The White Hart in Henfield and The Red Lion in Winfrith, Dorset.
The pub group highlights current VAT levels in the UK are placing enormous pressure on pubs and restaurants already facing rising energy, staffing and supply costs.
As part of the campaign, all three pubs are offering 7.2% off all drinks purchases for rewards card members until the end of May. The figure directly represents the difference between the UK’s 20% VAT rate and the 12.8% average hospitality VAT rate found across Europe.
Visitors can sign up for the free rewards card at any of the three pubs and receive 7.2% back in points on every drinks purchase, redeemable as cash value against future visits.
Rob Barr, Owner of Barr and Barr’s Hospitality, said:
“The £10 pint is becoming a symbol of the pressure facing British hospitality. This is not about pubs trying to charge more, it is about businesses struggling under one of the highest VAT rates in Europe.
“Independent pubs are at the heart of communities. We employ local people, support local suppliers and create places where communities come together. Yet the tax burden placed on UK hospitality is making it harder every year to survive.
“If countries across Europe can support hospitality with lower VAT rates, the UK can too. Reducing VAT to the European average of 12.8% would help protect jobs, support investment and help keep prices fair for customers.”
Industry body UKHospitality has repeatedly highlighted the impact of high VAT on the sector, noting that the UK hospitality industry faces one of the highest VAT burdens in Europe. The organisation says lowering VAT would support businesses, protect jobs and help maintain affordable prices for consumers.
Hospitality remains one of the UK’s largest employers, supporting more than 3.5 million jobs nationwide according to UKHospitality.
Barr and Barr’s Hospitality says its cashback initiative is designed both to reward loyal customers and to highlight the direct impact VAT has on prices across pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses throughout the UK.
Rob Barr
Barr and Barrs Hospitality
Sources consulted (web research):
- Independent Pub Operator Launches Campaign Lower Hospitality Vat Indu…
- Vat
- Reform Uk Proposes 10 Hospitality Vat Rate In Pub Sector Support Package
- Reform Uk Unveils Pub Rescue Plan With Vat Cut Beer Duty Reduction An…
- Government No Plans Reduce Hospitality Vat Petition 2023 Andy Lennox
- C8e57dexly1o
- Hospitality And Retail Sectors Impact Of Government Policy
- Pubs Bars Restaurants Hospitality Firms Budget Costs B2810529
- How Would A Reduction In Vat Help The Hospitality Sector
Source: EIN Presswire