While pubs, clubs and live music venues are set to benefit from the business rates relief, restaurants, cafés, hotels and cinemas have not been included in the government’s announcement.
For Claridge, that omission reflects a wider problem. He believes a reduction in VAT for hospitality businesses would have a far greater impact than changes to business rates.
He argues it would give businesses the breathing space they need to invest, employ staff and remain financially viable.
“It’s the only lever that will reliably make a difference to a material number of businesses.
“Whilst I understand that there is significant nervousness in government about such a bold radical move, [but] the time really is now for a bold, radical move.
“For me, it’s always been not can we afford it, but can we afford not to.”
The chef said the challenges facing hospitality cannot be solved by short-term measures alone and warned that without wider reform, more independent venues could disappear.
“Those of us who run and operate these businesses, it is not a get rich quick scheme,” he says.
“It is often a get poor quick scheme as it happens, but it’s getting to that point where you go, this doesn’t make sense.
“Make the maths math, as the kids might say.”
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker welcomed the announcement saying the prime minister had captured “issues that come up regularly with me”.
“There is more to do,” he added, “but it shows and demonstrates a statement of intent and a recognition that the government needs to do more to support the everyday economy.
“For some businesses it will make a big difference.”
He said he would meet the prime minister in the coming days.
“I hope this is just the first set of announcements that will help businesses on the high street and I hope he will make further announcements over the coming months,” Parker added.
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