00:00One of Birmingham's most famous chefs has described the state of the UK hospitality
00:05sector as ridiculous, as one of his Warwickshire pubs prepares to close.
00:10Glyn Pernell confirmed the Mount in Henley in Arden is to shut its doors in March, saying
00:16rising costs meant the business was no longer viable.
00:19Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he pointed to VAT at 20%, higher wages and increased national
00:26insurance contributions.
00:28He said many operators were simply running to survive and questioned whether new restaurants
00:33were financially sustainable.
00:35The government says it is backing Britain's pubs by cutting business rates and increasing
00:41the hospitality support fund to £10 million.
Comments