Business rates increase prompts alarm
Under updated business rates proposals due to take effect from April, commercial properties especially in the hospitality sector face substantial tax increases. Industry body UKHospitality has estimated that the average rates bill for a hotel could more than double, rising by 115 percent and adding over £200,000 to annual costs during the next three years.
The prospect of higher fixed costs comes as the sector continues to recover from pandemic-related disruptions and sustained inflation. Businesses affected include hotels, independent shops, restaurants, and tourism providers, many of which are central to coastal economies that rely heavily on seasonal visitors.
Impact on coastal communities and tourism
Tourism forms a vital part of the economy in many seaside towns, offering employment and generating income for local businesses year-round. Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, described tourism as “the beating heart” of his community, warning that further rates rises could force restaurants and hotels to close.
He attributed much of their vulnerability to what he views as neglect from central government, alongside enduring pressures such as high energy costs and increased employer taxes. Alison Griffiths, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, also emphasised the importance of hospitality businesses in her area.
She relayed experiences of local hotel owners facing sleepless nights and ongoing anxiety as they navigate recent tax and regulatory changes, saying, “Their business should not pay the price for governmental incompetence.”
MPs and industry leaders raise concerns
Senior figures across the hospitality sector have echoed the need for urgent action. Jo Boydell, chief executive of Travelodge, said the company’s business rates are expected to double over the coming three years, which has led to increasing resistance from affected businesses.
Jon Hendry Pickup, CEO of Butlin’s, reported that his company, like many others, had been “heavily impacted” not only by business rates hikes but also by other employment-related taxes under consideration.
Industry leaders fear that government proposals to offer partial relief to pubs will not build enough confidence unless extended to all parts of the hospitality trade. This concern is heightened as sectors beyond pubs such as hotels and restaurants report no comparable financial reprieve.
Business owners describe financial strain
Small business operators at the coast have reported being particularly squeezed by rising costs under successive budget cycles. Sam Jones, who ran a pedal-boat rental service on Weymouth Beach in Dorset, announced the closure of the 50-year-old family business.
He cited higher business rates, surging operating costs, and rising staff training charges such as the £1,000 per-worker compliance cost for safety certification as factors behind the decision. Jones described the impacts as “difficult and emotional”, expressing pride in his family’s business history since the 1960s but noting that “the environment has changed significantly in terms of costs, regulation, and risk.”
He explained that wage increases and national insurance contributions have led to staffing costs effectively tripling over time, making it difficult to absorb further fixed cost rises.
Government response and sector pushback
Responding to mounting calls for intervention, a Treasury spokesperson stated, “We are backing hospitality businesses with a £4.3bn support package to limit bill rises, alongside capping Corporation Tax at 25 percent, reducing regulation, and taking action on the cost of living to boost high streets.”
However, the promise of tailored support for pubs has not been matched by pledges for hotels and wider hospitality. Labour MP Chris Webb (Blackpool South) noted that Treasury officials expressed willingness in private discussions to consider broader reductions for the sector as a whole.
Wider implications across hospitality
Industry experts warn that selectively exempting certain types of premises, such as pubs, from business rate hikes could leave swathes of the hospitality industry at risk. Surinder Arora, chief executive of the Arora Group, said that rates increases of “eye-watering” scale reportedly adding as much as £12.4 million to one of his hotels’ bills after discounts were reduced would likely lead to higher costs being passed on to consumers or reduced investment. Live music venues, which often fall outside traditional business rate relief schemes but are dependent on similar revenue streams, could also be adversely affected. Patrick Hurley, Labour MP for Southport, argued for targeted protection for these venues, which he described as “living hand to mouth”.
Final Summary
As business rates are set to rise sharply from April, coastal communities and their elected representatives are warning of existential threats to seaside tourism and hospitality. The government’s current approach of providing temporary relief for pubs has sparked urgent demands for broader intervention, especially from the hotel sector, independent businesses, and other leisure services essential to local economies. Sector leaders have stated clearly that targeted, short-term measures for specific groups may not be sufficient to avoid widespread business closures and job losses. With ongoing discussions underway between industry, MPs, and the Treasury, the hospitality sector awaits details on any forthcoming packages. The coming weeks remain crucial, as the outcome will shape not just the viability of the British seaside holiday but the future of high streets and seasonal employment across coastal and tourism-dependent regions. For those seeking to monitor or forecast tax changes in real time, the Pie platform continues to provide timely updates for business decision makers.
