The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the Institute of Hospitality are proud to announce their collaboration on a vital campaign, #LeaveNoOneBehind, aimed at advocating for the survival and recovery of their collective membership of over 20,000 businesses in the UK.
This united effort comes at a critical juncture prior to the announcement of the Spring Budget on Wednesday 6th March 2024 as the hospitality and late-night economy sectors continue to face unprecedented challenges. Where previously the Government excluded wet lead sales businesses, the collaboration have stood firm on there commitment to leave no one behind, or marginalise businesses as was done during the pandemic.
The impact of the ongoing rising costs and financial burdens has led to a dire situation for businesses within the nighttime economy and hospitality sectors . Since 2020 we have lost over 23,000 business, and more than 6,000 establishments have closed their doors in the last year, marking a devastating loss for both the economy and the communities they serve. Alarmingly, the hospitality sector has witnessed a doubling of businesses entering administration during this period, underscoring the urgent need for support.
Despite the limited efforts of the government to provide financial aid, the industries remain exceptionally vulnerable. Escalating operating costs, combined with substantial debts incurred during the pandemic, have left many businesses teetering on the brink of collapse. A recent survey conducted by the NTIA revealed that 7 out of 10 businesses are either barely breaking even or operating at a loss, with nearly half expressing doubts about their survival in the next 12 months.
The consequences of inaction are profound, not only for businesses but also for the individuals and families whose livelihoods depend on them. With the cost of living on the rise, discretionary spending, such as enjoying a night out, is under threat as consumers struggle to manage mounting bills.
In response to these challenges, the NTIA and the Institute of Hospitality are calling on the government to implement urgent measures to support the sector in the Spring Budget, including:
- Implementing a reduced VAT rate of 12.5% across the hospitality, late-night economy, and events sector for the next 12 months.
- Freezing Alcohol Duty for the next 12 months.
These measures are essential to providing businesses with the financial headroom they need to survive and recover. It is imperative that we act now to ensure that no one is left behind and that our vibrant nighttime economy can once again thrive.
NTIA / IOH Campaign Instructions:
#LeaveNoOneBehind Campaign – Spring Budget 2024 – Wednesday 6th March
Launch Date : From 18.00pm – Monday 19th February 2024
Campaign Objective:
Our goal is to drive a clear message to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring budget that the hospitality and night-time economy (NTE) sectors are in crisis and urgently need financial relief. Specifically, we are advocating for a reduction in VAT to 12.5% across the board for businesses within these industries. This reduction will provide the necessary financial headroom for survival.
Action Steps: Email Your MP System :
*Within the Email Your MP System it will ask you for your postcode – This will help automatically identify your MP and their email contact details (Which will self populate).
*It will then ask you to put your name and details into the reformatted area so that you can ratify that you are a constituent and that they are able to represent you. Important to note that if your business is in different constituency then it is worth doing for both addresses.
*The email your MP link will then follow down on the same page to a pre written representation letter which you can send to constituent MP . The Letter can be personalised and where possible would encourage this, but in its original form it will advocate fro a VAT Cut to 12.5%
*It is vitally important that you put your details into the form, to ensure that the letter is received and considered by your constituent MP.
Disseminating the Message:
*Share the campaign message with your peers and customer database.
*Encourage them to join the cause by writing to their respective MPs through the Email your MP System!
*Use all available communication channels such as email newsletters, social media platforms, and in-person interactions to spread awareness.
*Ensure that all posts are scheduled to go live from 18:00 pm on Monday, 19th February, to maximise social media impact.
Social Media Engagement:
*Utilise the hashtag #LeaveNoOneBehind in all social media posts.
*Include Campaign Assets to capture attention and convey the urgency of the situation. The assets are categorised into Intro / Interchangeable / Action.
*Intro Slides – Introductory Messaging Slides which set the scene for the campaign
*Interchangeable Slides – These allow you to focus on consumer lead campaigns / market specific
*Action Slides – This is above what we want people to do to support the campaign
*Tag relevant stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and industry associations, to amplify the message.
*Encourage followers to share and repost to reach a wider audience.
Message Content:
*Clearly articulate the need for VAT reduction to support struggling businesses.
*Highlight the impact of the crisis on the hospitality and NTE sectors.
*Stress the importance of government intervention to prevent further closures and job losses.
*Mention the exclusion of thousands of wet-led businesses from previous relief measures, underscoring the need for inclusive support.
Follow-Up and Persistence:
*Continuously engage with MPs through follow-up emails or phone calls to ensure your message is received and acknowledged.
*Monitor social media activity and respond to comments or inquiries promptly.
*Encourage ongoing advocacy within your network even after the initial campaign launch.
Important Notes:
Maintain professionalism and civility in all communications with MPs and stakeholders.
Emphasise the collective impact of unified action in advocating for industry support.
Keep the momentum going beyond the initial campaign launch leading to the budget on Wednesday 6th March to maximise long-term advocacy efforts.
By following these instructions, we can effectively mobilise support and advocate for the much-needed VAT reduction to safeguard the future of the hospitality and NTE sectors. Together, let’s ensure that no one is left behind in these challenging times.
Any queries please drop us a line on [email protected]
