Taxed to the Hilt: How a 10% VAT Rate Could Save Your Favourite Brighton Taproom
Walk through the doors of our Brighton taproom on a rainy Tuesday evening, and you’ll feel it instantly. The low hum of conversation, the amber glow of the Edison bulbs, and the unmistakable scent of a fresh, hop-forward pale ale being poured. It’s a sanctuary. For the residents of Fiveways and beer lovers from across the city, Lost and Found isn’t just a place to grab a drink; it’s a living room for the community.
But behind the bar, and behind the scenes of every independent Brighton venue, there’s a storm brewing that no amount of cozy atmosphere can fully mask. We aren’t just battling rising energy bills or the soaring costs of grain and glass. We are battling a tax system that feels increasingly designed to favor global conglomerates while squeezing the life out of the small, independent businesses that give Brighton its soul.
The conversation around hospitality VAT has reached a boiling point, and for good reason. If we want to keep our local taprooms, our independent Sussex breweries, and our community spaces alive, the status quo simply cannot continue.
The 5% Gimmick: A Drop in the Ocean
You might have seen the headlines recently. The government, in a move clearly aimed at grabbing a quick summer soundbite, announced a temporary VAT cut to 5%. On the surface, it sounds like a victory. But look closer, and you’ll find the catch: it only applies to children’s meals and "family attractions."
While we love seeing families in our Fiveways community, and we always welcome the next generation of beer enthusiasts (and their juice-drinking parents), this targeted cut is a sticking plaster on a broken limb. For a craft beer taproom like ours: and for the many taprooms in Brighton that focus on quality drinks and adult social spaces: this measure does virtually nothing.
Most of our food comes through our incredible rotating street food partners who park up outside on weekends. We don’t have a massive on-site kitchen churning out thousands of kids’ chicken nuggets. We are a specialist venue. We are about the craft. We are about the brewers. And right now, the government is ignoring the very heart of the hospitality sector.
#VATsTheProblem: The Fight for a Fair 10%
This is where the #VATsTheProblem campaign comes in. Led by the likes of Tom Kerridge and UKHospitality, this movement is demanding a permanent, industry-wide VAT cut to 10%. Not just for kids’ meals. Not just for a few weeks in the summer. But for the whole sector.
Why 10%? Because at 20%, the UK has one of the highest hospitality VAT rates in Europe. When you head to France or Spain for your holidays, you’ll notice that your tapas and carafes of wine feel a little more affordable. That’s because those countries recognize that hospitality is a vital organ of the economy. In France, they pay 10%. In Germany, it’s 7%.
In the UK, we are being "taxed to the hilt," and it’s making it harder and harder for an independent Brighton venue to survive. When 20p of every pound you spend over the bar goes straight to the Treasury before we’ve even paid for the beer, the staff, or the lights, the math starts to look very scary.
Why This Matters for Craft Beer in Brighton
We take immense pride in being the counter-culture to big-label, corporate beer. You won't find the same bland, mass-produced lagers on our taps that you see in every airport lounge. Instead, we carefully curate our selection from genuine independent Sussex breweries.
When you drink at a Brighton taproom like Lost and Found, you are supporting a local ecosystem. You are supporting the brewer in Lewes who stayed up all night to perfect a recipe. You are supporting the small-batch cidermaker. You are supporting the local wineries whose selections we proudly stock.
But here’s the reality: when hospitality is taxed at 20%, the pressure flows downhill. If we can’t afford to keep our margins healthy, we can’t afford to buy as much from those small breweries. If they can't sell to us, they can't afford to brew. It’s a chain reaction that threatens the very diversity of craft beer in Brighton.
We want to keep our fridges stocked with the best local independent beers for you to take away. We want to keep offering our venue hire for parties and events without having to charge "corporate" prices. But without a fair VAT rate, the pressure on independent spaces becomes unsustainable.
The Cost of Community
It’s not just about the price of a pint. It’s about what that pint represents. Lost and Found was built on the idea of discovery and belonging. We wanted to create a space in Fiveways where you could walk in alone and leave having made three new friends.
Our About Us page speaks to our visionary approach: we aren't just selling a product; we're providing a sensory experience. From the first sip of a hazy DIPA to the smell of wood-fired pizza or smashed burgers from our street food partners outside, every detail is intentional.
But energy costs have tripled. Business rates are a constant shadow. And the 20% VAT rate is the weight that could eventually break the camel's back. A 10% rate would allow us to reinvest in our team, host more community events, and ensure that our Brighton party venue remains accessible to everyone in the neighborhood.
Like What You’ve Tasted? Want to Try Some More?
We know that our customers care about where their money goes. You choose to shop local, you choose to drink independent, and you choose to spend your evenings in a taproom that values quality over quantity.
The #VATsTheProblem petition has already surpassed 100,000 signatures, but the fight is far from over. We need to show the government that hospitality isn't just a "nice-to-have" luxury: it's the lifeblood of our high streets and the heart of our social lives.
If you love the vibe at Lost and Found, if you value the independent spirit of the many taprooms in Brighton, we urge you to look into the campaign. Talk about it. Sign the petition. And, most importantly, keep supporting your locals.
Join Us at Lost and Found
While the politicians argue in Westminster, we’ll be here on Ditchling Road, doing what we do best: serving exceptional beer and curated wines to the best community in the world.
Whether you’re planning a big celebration and need an independent Brighton venue for up to 80 people, or you just want a quiet corner to enjoy a Sussex-brewed pale ale, our doors are open. We might be "taxed to the hilt," but our spirit is far from broken.
Come down this weekend, grab a drink from the taps, and check out our latest street food collaboration. Each sip tells a story of quality and passion: a story that is worth protecting.
Let’s keep Brighton independent. Let’s keep it craft. And let’s make some noise for a fair VAT rate that actually supports the industry we love.
Cheers to independence, cheers to Sussex, and cheers to you for being part of our story.
