Sadiq Khan urged to give hospitality rent and rates holiday during tube strikes

"Hospitality businesses across London should be given a rent and business rates holiday to help them cope with the disruption caused by tube strikes, according to leading audit, tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg. Andrew Sanford, a partner at the firm, said many restaurants, bars and cafe9s are located in Transport for London (TfL) properties, and urged the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to step in with immediate support. "The Mayor should give them a rent and business rates holiday for the strike period if they are in affected postcodes," Sanford said."

"The strikes come at a time when the hospitality industry is already grappling with rising costs, including higher employers' National Insurance contributions, increases in the national living wage, and the broader pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. Sanford warned that a week of "negligible footfall" could be devastating for small operators already under financial strain. "While offices can adapt with home working, that option is not open to an already stressed sector that requires in-person work for a number of roles," he explained. "London hospitality businesses will have to consider if it is better to close for the week to try and preserve cash.""

Many restaurants, bars and cafe9s occupy Transport for London (TfL) properties and face direct disruption from tube strikes. The hospitality sector is contending with rising employers' National Insurance contributions, increases in the national living wage, and wider cost-of-living pressures. A week of negligible footfall risks devastating small operators already under financial strain and may force closures to preserve cash. Workers on zero-hour contracts face the greatest income loss because they are paid only for hours worked. Immediate targeted relief such as rent and business rates holidays for affected postcodes is urged to protect the sector.

Read at Business Matters