UK Chancellor dismisses calls to widen business rates U-turn beyond pubs

The UK’s Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to confirm while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, that any incoming business rates relief would only be made available to pubs, not the wider hospitality sector, saying that “the situation the pubs face is different from other parts of the hospitality sector”.

Research from Colliers found that hotels could see rateable values spike as much as 250% and that they will be hit with an average increase in rateable value of 77% under current plans. This compares with 29% for pubs and 14% for restaurants.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics show nearly 9,000 jobs have been lost from the hospitality sector since the Autumn Budget.

More News & Views

by Becky Hoyle 20 July 2026
ASAP Operator Member Frasers Hospitality has announced the soft opening of Fraser Residence Wuzhen. Located in the historic 1,300-year-old water town dating from the Tang Dynasty, the property marks Frasers Hospitality’s first entry into this, one of China’s renowned cultural and tourism destinations. Read more >
by Sarah Tasker 16 June 2026
AI- and tech-powered hospitality operator Bob W has announced plans to open a new 136-unit aparthotel in Stuttgart’s historic Bad Cannstatt district. Scheduled to open in 2027, The new property will open in 2027, occupy a site on the location of a former World War II bunker. Read more >
by Becky Hoyle 16 June 2026
ASAP Operator Member Supercity is set to open a new 46-suite aparthotel property in York later this month, on a site previously held by vacant commercial units, including a van hire centre and a restaurant. Supercity’s portfolio includes eight aparthotels across London, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and Edinburgh, and t he company was recently ranked 16th in the list of the top 30 employers in The Caterer’s Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2026 survey. Read more >
by Becky Hoyle 20 July 2026
ASAP Operator Member Frasers Hospitality has announced the soft opening of Fraser Residence Wuzhen. Located in the historic 1,300-year-old water town dating from the Tang Dynasty, the property marks Frasers Hospitality’s first entry into this, one of China’s renowned cultural and tourism destinations. Read more >
by Sarah Tasker 16 June 2026
AI- and tech-powered hospitality operator Bob W has announced plans to open a new 136-unit aparthotel in Stuttgart’s historic Bad Cannstatt district. Scheduled to open in 2027, The new property will open in 2027, occupy a site on the location of a former World War II bunker. Read more >

ASAP Industry Development Sponsors 2025

The support of our sponsors is essential for our efforts in advocating for our members and interacting with policymakers.