Fears that ‘beating heart’ of high streets in Wales could be ‘ripped away’ ahead of Budget

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe has warned that the ‘beating heart’ of high streets across Wales is at risk of being ‘ripped away’, as devastating polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has shown there is widespread concern that hospitality businesses will close. 

The revelation comes a year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a National Insurance tax hike that hammered small businesses, leaving high streets across Wales at breaking point. 

Polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats shows that across Wales, 50% of people are concerned about their local pub closing and 34% think that bars and nightclubs might be lost. Similarly, 57% are concerned that cafes and restaurants may close and 42% show worry that they will lose their local hairdresser. 

This damning picture shows the significant concern across Wales about the survival of high streets. 

Last week, the Liberal Democrats announced new calls for an emergency 5% VAT cut for hospitality to be put in place until April 2027. Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper led her party’s call for a £7.5 billion life raft for the UK’s pubs and restaurants ahead of what is expected to be yet another doom and gloom Budget next week.

Commenting, David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson, said: 

“Hospitality is the beating heart of our high streets across Wales, but pubs, restaurants, cafes and more are at serious risk of being taken away from us - no wonder residents are so concerned.

“Not only are mid-morning coffees, pub dinners and weekend activities with the kids quickly becoming an unaffordable luxury for many across our area, but soon they may not even be an option.

“With the Chancellor’s damaging jobs tax and people having less money to spend, independent hospitality businesses in our towns just cannot sustain themselves. It is absolutely devastating. 

“The Chancellor cannot deliver another doom and gloom Budget that risks further decline for people across Wales. She’s clearly out of ideas, so she needs to listen to the Liberal Democrats’ plan to save our high streets – paid for by the big banks’ profits.”

ENDS