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# Meeting sees MP told urgent support is needed for hospitality and independent businesses
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/meeting-sees-mp-told-urgent-support-is-needed-for-hospitality-and-independent-businesses/
- Published: 2026-04-13T14:13:12.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-13T14:13:30.000Z
- Description: A group of local hospitality and small business owners have met with Lichfield’s MP to call for urgent Government support
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Business, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:11, News

A GROUP of local hospitality and small business owners have met with Lichfield’s MP to call for urgent Government support

Representatives from Thyme Kitchen, Patty Freaks, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Poms, The Wine House, Accounting Insight and The Olde Peculiar told Labour’s Dave Robertson how the industry was “under increasing financial strain”.

They added that the current VAT system was placing unsustainable pressure on independent businesses, leaving many to question their long-term viability.

Beth Toovey, owner of Thyme Kitchen, said:

> “I’ve been self-employed for most of my life, and at this stage I should be feeling secure about the future. Instead, the pressure of running a small hospitality business is, at times, overwhelming.  
>  
> “We’re not building stability – we’re constantly firefighting just to stay afloat.”

The group outlined how the UK’s standard 20% VAT rate on food and drink consumed on-site puts British businesses at a significant disadvantage compared to many European countries, where reduced hospitality VAT rates are common.

Chef Tom Shepherd said it was important that the wider benefits of the sector to local communities was not overlooked:

> “Hospitality is where people choose to spend the most important moments in their lives – their birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations. To be part of those occasions means everything to us.  
>  
> “We build real connections with our customers, and to lose these businesses would be devastating for the city – we need urgent action to support the hospitality sector.”

The group of business owners also raised concerns around rising wage costs, increased National Insurance contributions and ongoing operational pressures.

The discussion formed part of a national campaign within the hospitality sector, calling for a targeted reduction in VAT – with proposals such as a 12.5% rate or a VAT rebate model designed to protect jobs and sustain independent businesses.

The group said that they plan to continue working together to push for change – and hope the meeting would mark the beginning of a stronger dialogue between Government and the hospitality sector.