Dean Banks: "The government has the ability to stop this"

The Staff Canteen

Editor

Dean Banks is calling on the Scottish Government to support the country’s hospitality sector..

Amidst the challenges faced by Scotland's vital hospitality industry, Scottish chef and MasterChef: The Professionals 2018 finalist Dean Banks, has urged the Scottish government to intervene and level the playing field.

The calls from Dean, who owns Scotland's Haar St Andrews; Dean Banks at The Pompadour; Dulse Edinburgh; and The Forager pub, follow a stark contrast of support between England and Wales, where a level of rate relief has been granted for the struggling hospitality sector.

Speaking to The Staff Canteen, Dean said: "We have to remember that the hospitality industry is a huge part of the economy in the country. The support that has been given up here in Scotland is null, England and Wales have at least had a 75% reduction on the rates, where as the Scottish government has been reluctant to do this."

Expressing his worries, Dean contemplates the potential repercussions for the entire hospitality sector, from restaurants and staff to businesses and homes, in Scotland.

"I’m worried about what this will mean for our industry, our restaurants, our staff, our lives, our business, our homes, bars and hotels and for our country," he said.

Hospitality at Risk

Dean’s comments paint a vivid picture of an industry on the verge of collapse that the government's priorities, as perceived by those in the hospitality sector, may not fully align with the urgent needs of the industry.

"The government has the ability to stop this. They have the ability to put caps in place, commercial utility bills went wild this year, and the government didn’t help us," he said.

In a poignant call to action, Dean implores the government not for special treatment but for equal treatment.

Calling on Scotland's government to step in, he said: "The 75% rate reduction does definitely help and for Scotland to not have received it this year is an absolute joke. If Wales can do it, why can’t Scotland? I understand England; it’s a lot bigger country, a lot more taxes coming in, but if Wales can do it, why can’t Scotland?"

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