Marlow restaurateur Tom Kerridge has welcomed a new business rates discount for pubs but warned that the measure "doesn't go far enough" to support the hospitality sector.
The chef, who owns the two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers and The Coach in the town, was reacting after new Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a further 20 per cent reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year.
The discount comes on top of a 15 per cent cut announced earlier this year and is expected to benefit around 32,000 hospitality businesses.
However, Kerridge said the savings would only make a limited difference to many venues struggling with rising costs.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on July 23, he said: "It doesn't go far enough but it does show that there is an understanding that hospitality needs a hand, especially smaller venues.
"It will come as welcome news.
"But £1,000 on a yearly revenue doesn't really make a difference.
"But it shows the government are beginning to listen and has an understanding that hospitality is at the core and heart of so many communities."
Kerridge has long campaigned for greater support for the hospitality industry and has previously called for VAT for the sector to be reduced to 10 per cent.
He said he had spoken to Mr Burnham shortly before he became Prime Minister and remained hopeful further measures would follow.
Kerridge added: "I'm hopeful that as the Prime Minister and his team begin to get their feet underneath the table and they get to have an understanding on what's going on, that there will be more and more measures that come into place to help hospitality."
Announcing the changes, Mr Burnham said the rates relief was intended to help protect community venues and tackle the decline of pubs.
He said: "Pubs need to know that the cavalry is coming."
The Prime Minister described the move as a "first step" and said it could make a significant difference to venues facing financial pressures.
Under the plans, gambling arcades and vape shops will see their business rate relief reduced to help fund the £100 million-a-year scheme.
Mr Burnham said pubs and hospitality venues play an important role in bringing communities together and warned that once such businesses close, they rarely return.
The changes are expected to save a typical pub around £1,100 a year, although the relief will not apply to the largest live music venues.
For Kerridge, whose Marlow establishments have become nationally recognised destinations, the announcement is a positive signal from government, but one he believes should be followed by further action to support the hospitality industry.
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