Vat Rate – Travelodge chief executive has called for the Goverment to reduce the rate of VAT for the hospitality business to 5%. there has been a provision in EU law since 1975 which would enable this. The argument is our hotels are just too expensive. The average rate of VAT for hotels in Spain, Italy, France and Germany is 7.6%. 21 countries in the EU have used this 1975 legislation and we now have the second highest rate of VAT in the EU. Since 2009, it has also been possible, thanks to Fance’s lobbying, to reduce the rate of VAT in restaurants, and they are now at 5.5%. Bringing down the rate of VAT would give a massive lift to the industry, creating jobs and really helping us to lead this country out of recession. Go Dave!
Hotel Star Rating System – The furore still rages over the Government’s proposal to severely modify the Star Rating System which has been in place for many years. They argue with sites like Trip Advisor being used so extensively, there is little need for the Rating System in its present form. Hoteliers are up in arms about this as they believe the current system is an important selling point. As, the fees to join are likely to go up significantly, small hotels like myself will need to pull out and will therefore be disadvantaged against those who can afford.
Michel Roux - Good on you Michel for a fantastic TV programme, alerting so many youngsters to the possibility of a very rewarding career in hospitality. Michel’s hospitality version of “The Apprentice” has set a new trend for reality TV. Watch out for more such programmes! Unfortunately, Lord Lang was quoted in the Daily Mirror as saying “Bus drivers and waitresses? Those sorts of people aren’t important. He obviously disagrees with Michel!
Tuition Fees Increase – Is likely to have a spin off benefit to the hospitality industry, as fewer youngsters will take university places and will be looking for really rewarding careers elewhere.
Will hoteliers put up their prices for the Royal Wedding? – Unfortunately many will. I will not be one of them andto celebrate, are planning to have an afternoon tea party in the grounds.
Jamie Oliver – asks whether our children are a nation of wusses. Apparently he believes British kids do not stand up to the European kids he employs in his restaurants.
Menu labelling – The Government is planning a voluntary scheme to encourage restaurants to put more nutritional information on menus. My viewis if the Govt are looking to educate a generation who don’t know a steak comes from a cow, then perhaps they should be considering bringing back Domestic Science and making a better fist of it.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think putting nutritional info on menus is a great idea as long as it is designed right. It’s so easy to make something messy and confusing (which many menus are already) if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Also I saw the Michel Roux programme which was amazing.
The idea is great in principle. The problem though, Kris, is it is a voluntary scheme.
Just how much nutritional information goes on the menu will be up to individual restaurants. Additionally, some will do it and some won’t.
There will be no level playing field for the customer to make judgements and this lack of consistency will potentially confuse customers.