Pubs cheer business rates relief while other firms 'left out in the cold'

Pubs cheer business rates relief while other firms 'left out in the cold'Image source, Keith BottImage caption, Keith Bott, right, welcomed the government's business rates reliefByArchie MitchellBusiness reporterPublished2 minutes agoAndy Burnham's decision to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues raised a cheer among industry bosses.It was his third big policy announcement in three days, and as industry body UK Hospitality put it, it showed his enthusiasm for the sector "survived his trip down the M1".Tax experts said the 20% discount, which comes on top of emergency business rates relief rolled out in January, would save the average pub more than £1,000.But other High Street businesses complained they would miss out on the support and called for the package to be extended.'Good start, but tax system needs to be fairer for pubs'Keith Bott, who runs the Titanic Brewery and nine pubs across the Midlands, said the government was "finally recognising the plight of the hospitality industry and trying to help".He said pubs had been hit by a mix of employer National Insurance increases, the rising minimum wage, high inflation and the climbing cost of living.Meanwhile, the sector is "heavily taxed", with around 35-40% of turnover going to the Treasury, he added."What I really liked in this announcement is they are recognising we need to look at a fairer tax system so we can all contribute to society," Bott told the BBC. He said online retailers that operate out of warehouses pay a "ridiculously low" amount of business rates in comparison, and "we need to make the system fair".And Bott urged the government to go further in supporting the industry, cutting the duty on draft beer to target drinks sold in pubs.'Why is our business being overlooked?'Image source, HD3 Fitness CentreMissing out on support in Burnham's plans is Ruth Dawson's HD3 F...