On Monday, Connor Naismith MP met with business owners to discuss the impact of current government policy on independent hospitality.
Mr Naismith has previously written to the Chancellor requesting for a 10% reduction of VAT levels charged against hospitality businesses in the UK. He also met with UK action group Hospitality Together in support of their campaign to cap VAT at 10% in April 2026.
The meeting was attended by over 30 business owners from across the constituency and each had the opportunity to share their experiences of the issues facing the sector, including VAT levels, rising costs of goods and services, parking, and representation of independent business owners in Westminster.
Mr Naismith gave an update on his recent meeting with the Chancellor, during which he reiterated calls for a reduction in VAT for hospitality in line with European counterparts. He also set out plans to grow support for the campaign through coordination with other MPs, including cross-party.
Kelly Woodnutt, the owner of St Martha Restaurant Nantwich who approached Mr Naismith with the campaign, was also in attendance.
Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe & Nantwich, said:
"I want to thank all the business owners who took time out of their days to attend the roundtable. It was helpful to hear firsthand accounts of how current VAT levels - amongst other issues - continue to affect them.
"Government needs to listen to the voices of local independents who are the most sensitive to policy change, not just the chains who take their profits elsewhere and can shield themselves from losses."
"It's clear we've got to keep the pressure up. I will be taking their stories into Parliament to build cross-party support for independent hospitality businesses which are the pride of towns like Crewe & Nantwich."
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Notes to the Editor The letter from Labour MPs to the Treasury from November can be viewed here . More information on Mr Naismith's meeting with Hospitality Together can be viewed here . The letter from Connor Naismith to the Treasury can be viewed here .
Image Description Connor Naismith at the Hospitality Roundtable in Nantwich Methodist Church with local business owners.
