MAGAZINE

Optimism? Is that you?

The morning after the General Election, I spoke with St Austell CEO Kevin Georgel for this issue’s lead interview (page 20). Despite that chat taking place over a month ago, the immediate reactions to the new Labour government and the hopes from the sector around what they’re planning to change are still palpable on a daily basis. 

Of course, Georgel was rather put on the spot, given that it had been a matter of hours since Sir Keir Starmer had been confirmed as the new prime minister, but we still managed to discuss the pressing points of order that would affect the St Austell business, as well as the entire on-trade. I’m sure you can guess them, folks. Business rates? Tick. VAT? Tick. The Apprenticeship Levy? Tick. No prizes for anyone, I’m afraid. However, what struck me was that for the first time in a long time I was speaking with an operator who was outlining these issues based on the promises and indications made by the people with the new power to make crucial changes. Bizarrely, it didn’t feel like lost hope – it felt like expectation with a dash of optimism. 

Indeed, this tone is being shared across large parts of the sector. Night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord recently posted that with the new government “there has been more positive dialogue with the hospitality sector in the last month, than the last four years”, which has to be encouraging. Lord wrote that the day after new chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed her first spending audit. BBPA CEO Emma McClarkin was quick to point out that during the election campaign, the chancellor highlighted the importance of supporting Britain’s beer and pub sector when she announced a five-point plan for pubs.

“Central to that plan was the need to reform the business rates system,” she said. “While the Treasury work out the details of how best to implement this critical reform, we need the chancellor to confirm that the vital 75% relief will be maintained so that one of the core cost components of doing business can be controlled.” Fingers crossed – let’s keep that optimism alive.

Tristan O’Hana - Editor