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VAT Reduction And Rates Reform Necessary To Grow Hospitality Sector ... Latest Survey Says
28 August 2026
A new survey of hospitality operators across Northern Ireland conducted by CGA by NIQ has found that 92% believe that a VAT reduction for hospitality and 69% believe the lowering of business rates bills are necessary steps for their businesses to grow. A further 86% of those surveyed cited VAT costs as their key concern for the next 12 months and 71% cited business rates. Undertaken by industry bodies, Hospitality Ulster, UKHospitality, The British Institute of Innkeeping, and the British Beer & Pub Association, the survey was undertaken in Q2 2026 and indicates the feeling of the industry since the launch of the #VATsTheProblem campaign in July.
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Know what you're really paying to take card?
26 August 2026
A free card payments audit for Hospitality Ulster members from BRISK Technology. Ask most operators what they pay in card fees and you’ll get the number on the front of the contract. Ask them what landed on last month’s statement and it’s a different figure — usually a higher one.
Could Your Payroll Be Serving Up More?
18 August 2026
Gift Aid and tax-advantaged share schemes can work hand in hand to make staff giving and long-term saving part of a coherent, tax-efficient rewards and CSR strategy, supporting staff retention. For many employees, this combination turns “work hard, save smart, give back” from a slogan into a practical, tax-aware plan.
Single-Sex Spaces Guidance: What Does It Mean for Northern Ireland Hospitality Businesses?
07 August 2026
The new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice came into force on 5 August 2026 following the UK Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v Scottish Ministers. The Supreme Court ruled that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, references to "sex" mean biological sex. There is no immediate change for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has its own separate equality laws, meaning the new code does not automatically apply here. No updated guidance is expected in Northern Ireland during 2026, as a case is scheduled to be heard in December 2026 to consider how the Supreme Court's decision applies to Northern Ireland law.