Restaurants across the UK are preparing to lower prices on their menus as the government temporarily reduces sector VAT by more than £4 billion.
For a six-month period, VAT will be trimmed on meals, accommodation and attractions – diving from 20 to 5per cent.
This will enable the hospitality sector to lower prices and subsequently attract more customers.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the VAT amendments in July, along with an “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme that entitles customers to 50 per cent off (up to £10 per head) at participating venues.
VAT (Value Added Tax) is paid on goods and services – but is often already included as part of the advertised price.
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The government is hoping that these short-term changes will help to reboot the economy.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants were forced to close for the best part of three months when COVID-19 gripped the country, surviving solely on takeaway services.
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However, with lower VAT in place, some of the bigger chains are in a position to lower the prices of their hot food and drink for a temporary period.
Here are the brands who’ve already confirmed they’ll be offering discounts from today (15 July).
KFC
KFC UK & Ireland
KFC was quick off the mark to announce some price cuts in the wake of new VAT rates.
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Earlier this week, the fried chicken chain confirmed on Twitter they’d be serving half-price boneless buckets and shaving a few quid here and there off other ‘fan favourites’.
“It’s welcome news,” said a spokesperson.
“Equally, our fans have been amazing over the past few months, so we are rolling out price reductions across our menu too.”
It’s worth noting, however, that whilst the low VAT rates are around until January, this special offer is not.
£4.99 boneless buckets are only available from today (15 July) to Sunday (19 July).
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KFC has, however, promised more “fantastic deals” in the coming weeks.
McDonald’s
Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s is asking its UK franchisees to trim prices on various items in the wake of the VAT cut.
The Golden Arches is recommending that its restauranteurs apply discounts to breakfast and coffee, as well as popular classics like the Big Mac, the Quarter Pounder and Chicken Nuggets.
Extra Value Meals could see 40p reductions, with customers also set to enjoy 30p off Happy Meals and 50p off morning meals.
Many McDonald’s venues are still operating limited menus around the UK, with the gradual reintroduction of seasonal/exclusive items being added over time.
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Nando’s
Pixabay
Nando’s has also jumped on the bandwagon and promised to offers discounts for customers – but not just on a few select items.
Nope. The South African restaurant is passing on VAT savings across its whole menu (except items that don’t qualify, like alcohol and cold food) for eat-in, delivery and click and collect.
So, from today (15 July), you can order a Nando’s and enjoy bigger savings on the bill than ever before.
On a quarter chicken, for example, you’ll pay 55p less.
Global coffee chain Pret also piped up on Twitter this morning (16 July) to confirm they’d be cutting prices across their menu in the coming days.
As of yet, there’s no confirmation as to which items will be subject to discounts, but coffee and hot food could be candidates.
Pret wrote on social media: “We’re passing back temporary VAT savings to our lovely customers.
“So over the next few days, you’ll notice lower prices on your favourite coffees, hot food and a few other treats.
“Cheers!”
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We're passing back temporary VAT savings to our lovely customers. So over the next few days, you’ll notice lower prices on your favourite coffees, hot food and a few other treats. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/lLWlulUdHt
Starbucks, too, has gotten in on the act and elected to lower the cost of coffee for customers from July.
The coffee chain announced on Tuesday that they’ll be passing on the full VAT discount in company-operated stores, meaning customers will get to enjoy lower prices.
The discounts will apparently be applied to drinks and hot meals.
Other venues with Starbucks licenses are being left to choose where to offer discounts; so certain prices may remain standard in some premises.
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Simon Wood announces gutting closure of Manchester restaurant after seven years
Danny Jones
Celebrity chef and Manchester local Simon Wood has announced that his self-titled WOOD Restaurant has sadly closed its doors.
The Oldham-born chef-owner who won MasterChef back in 2015, revealed the unfortunate news on Wednesday, 2 October, confirming that the First Street site will be closing immediately. Truly gutting.
Wood has remained one of Greater Manchester’s most-renowned chefs for the past decade, not to mention a huge advocate for supporting the hospitality industry, especially post-Covid and during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Sharing an emotional post on Instagram, he wrote: “It is with much regret that I have to inform you that I must close the doors here at WOOD for good, with immediate effect.”
“We have had 7 years as part of the Manchester city dining scene and I’m very proud of what the team and I have achieved”, the 48-year-old continued.
“Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon-to-be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work.”
“I’d like to thank everyone for your support and patronage over the years. Thank you, Simon.”
It was only at the start of the week that Wood shared a frustrated post about a group of no-show customers over the weekend that failed to even pre-warn that they would no longer be attending one of his most exclusive and costly experiences.
We’re starting to lose count of how many local businesses are unfortunately struggling in the face of the rising business rates and energy bills that all independents are facing at the minute.
It was only last month that we saw Almous Famous had to call it a day with their Withington location and beloved sandwich spot Micky’s sadly suffer the same fate. Even cult favourite Cafe Marhaba looks to have gone up for sale. So tough to swallow.
We’re genuinely gutted for everyone involved with the brand. All the best, Si – we know you’ll be back stronger than ever one of these days.
Featured Images — The Manc Group
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No trams to run through major Manchester city centre station this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Arguably Manchester city centre’s most important tram stop is set to be out of action this weekend, with no services running through it.
In what is another part of Transport for Greater Manchester‘s (TfGM) ongoing programme of works intended to “maintain and improve” the Metrolink system and ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain “safe, reliable, and accessible”, it’s been confirmed that no trams will run through Cornbrook this weekend.
Due to this, there will be a change to operating patterns across the majority of the Metrolink network on both Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October.
As is often the case in instances like these, disruption to passengers is expected.
On Saturday and Sunday [5 and 6 October], no trams will operate through Cornbrook.
There will be a change to operating patterns and replacement bus services will be in operation.
On Saturday (5 October), the tram service pattern will change to Altrincham – Old Trafford, Bury – Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury – Firswood, Etihad Campus – Bury (peak time only) / Victoria (after peak only), Manchester Airport – Firswood, Rochdale Town Centre – Deansgate-Castlefield (via Exchange Square), and The Trafford Centre – Wharfside.
Similarly, on Sunday (6 October), the only difference to the above service pattern is that the Etihad Campus tram will only run to Victoria, not Bury.
Services will operate every 12 minutes, except for on the Eccles line, where no trams will run at all.
TfGM is also warning that there may be changes to the first and last tram times during these works, but, in bid to help people still get to their destinations, three bus replacement services will operate from Firswood to Victoria, Old Trafford to Piccadilly, and Eccles to Piccadilly.
No trams will run through major Manchester city centre station Cornbrook this weekend / Credit: TfGM
The Old Trafford to Piccadilly bus service will run through Wharfside, while the Eccles to Piccadilly will travel via MediaCity.
“These works are a vitally important part of maintaining a safe and reliable network for all our customers,” explained
Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Interim Network Director for Metrolink, said these works are “a vitally important part” of maintaining the Metrolink, and that work has been scheduled by TfGM to “minimise disruption to passengers and residents as much as possible”.
The Manc -
15th July 2020 
