The chief executive of Chapel Down, one of the UK’s leading wineries, has called on the government to extend business rate cuts to hotels, arguing the move would fuel growth in Britain’s wine industry.
James Pennefather, who runs the Chapel Down estate in Kent, said Andy Burnham’s decision to cut business rates for pubs by 20 per cent was “very welcome” but that hotels had been left out despite being a key sales channel for the group’s sparkling wine.
“Hotels have been less impacted by these measures, so we’d encourage the Government to go further on this,” Pennefather said. He added that a wider rates cut “would hugely support our industry” and that what had already happened was “brilliant” but should be extended.
Pennefather’s comments come as UK retail and hospitality businesses more broadly push the government to expand rate reductions beyond pubs, bars and live music venues to the wider sector.
