UKHospitality Cymru has said business rates bills will still increase in April, despite a further 15% discount for pubs, restaurants and cafés.
“The additional 15% relief is helpful to some, but it’s notable that this is only a one-year commitment, which is a significant difference to the three years committed to in England,” said executive director David Chapman.
“Welsh government’s inclusion of restaurants and cafés, alongside pubs, is clear recognition that this is a hospitality-wide problem, yet this is far from a hospitality-wide solution.
“Rates bills will still be going up year-on-year, even for those receiving relief, and hotels, which were facing the biggest increases, have been excluded completely.”
He added: “It’s positive that additional funding has been used to support hospitality, but it was the Welsh government’s decision to exclude hospitality from business rates support that has led to this situation.
“We need a swift end to this unjust system, which challenges business viability, investment and growth. Hospitality still needs to see proper business rates reform and action to reduce the cost of doing business.”
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Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “Despite the positive intent, this announcement will not undo a long line of decisions that disadvantage Welsh pubs.
“Wales chose to exclude pubs from their lower multiplier given to retail properties only, their transitional relief is much less generous, and the 15% relief only applies for one year. All this means a pub of the same size will pay almost twice in Wales as in England and leave publicans shocked and regulars no doubt questioning how much the Welsh Government values pubs.
“We are calling on Welsh parliamentarians and government to ensure the business rates burden is permanently addressed by expanding the planned lower multiplier for retail properties to include pubs as well.”
