Dear Friends of Sam's,
I want to talk to you about something that is very close to both mine and Fanny's hearts, and that I think should matter to anyone who loves eating out, supporting their local area, and seeing their high street thrive.
As you know, in March we had to close Sam's Kitchen in Chiswick. I had been running restaurants in Chiswick for over 20 years. That is two decades of memories, of staff who became like family, of regulars who became friends. Closing it was one of the hardest things we have both had to do in our careers.
In 21 years of owning and operating restaurants, I have never found it this hard. And I am far from alone. I think most hospitality businesses up and down the country would agree.
Three hospitality businesses are closing every single day in this country. These aren't just businesses, they are the places where people celebrate, where friendships are made, where young people get their first job and discover what they are capable of. Over the years, we have given hundreds of people their very first job - watching these young people come through our doors with no experience and grow into confident, skilled, caring individuals is one of the greatest privileges of what we do. Hospitality gives people incredible life skills: how to work hard, how to communicate, how to be part of a team, how to make people feel welcome.
We cannot afford to let this industry fail; the cost to our country would be immeasurable.
The single biggest thing that would make a difference, more than almost anything else, is a cut to VAT for hospitality from 20% to 10%.
In France, Spain and Italy, hospitality VAT is 10%. In Germany it is 7%. Here in the UK, we pay 20%, which is one of the highest rates in Europe. That is not fair, and it is not sustainable.
That is why we are fully behind the #VATsTheProblem campaign, led by Tom Kerridge, which is calling on the Government to cut hospitality VAT to 10%. We urge you to sign the petition at www.vatstheproblem.co.uk. It takes 30 seconds and it really will make a difference.
If you love your local restaurant, your favourite pub, your neighbourhood café, please sign. And please share it with everyone you know.
The Government needs to hear from the public. This is your chance to have your say.
Sign Petition HereThank you, as always, for your incredible support. It means everything.
Very best wishes,
Sam, Fanny and the Team
