Treasury must act now to support businesses says Murphy
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has said Treasury must act now to support businesses facing soaring energy prices and crippling costs.
Speaking following a visit to Portaferry where he met James Higginson, proprietor of Captain Jack’s restaurant and takeaway, Conor Murphy said: “I heard first-hand today the detrimental impact the removal of VAT reduction is having for small businesses in the hospitality sector. Just like households our businesses are facing a cost crisis.
“The measures taken by the British Government to date have failed to deliver support for businesses, which are under immense pressure as a result of increased fuel and energy costs. These pressures are set against a backdrop of trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
“Treasury cannot wait until the autumn to take action, the reality is that this may be too late for some businesses. It is imperative that they take action now.”
Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster Colin Neill, who also attended the visit, said: “We welcome that Minister Murphy is out on the ground in Portaferry meeting directly with business owners and listening to the experiences of a number of sectors, including those from the hospitality industry about the pressures owners and managers are under.
“Energy prices, labour shortages, increased overheads and tightening consumer spending are making the current trading environment very difficult and there is no end in sight. The problems are clear, but we now have to move into solution finding mode and are willing to work with the Minister to see what more can be done to support the wider business community.”
Captain Jack’s owner/chef James Higginson said: “It was encouraging to see Minister Murphy reaching out and talking to local businesses in Portaferry which has largely a seasonal trade.
“I’ve been a chef for 24 years and have never seen costs rise in energy, fuel, stock, cooking oil etc go up in price so high and altogether. It is just crippling small businesses.
“My fear is that it will get a lot worse before it gets better. As we head towards the winter months, we will have to heat the premises and that could be quite exhorbitant. Hopefully Minister Murphy can provide some assistance for us all to get through this dilemma.”
https://www.captain-jacks.com/
The Minister also visited the Portico of Ards, an arts venue and Presbyterian church which recently received almost £100,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund being delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund in conjunction with Department of Finance. The new funding will support the appointment of an Outreach Officer, extending the venue’s programme of events.
Minister Murphy concluded his time in the town with a visit to Nugent’s Wood, a community woodland at the edge of the town, which received funding from the PEACE IV Programme to provide improvements to the walking trail.
After the visit, Minister Murphy added: “I really welcome the opportunity to visit the Ards Peninsula and to meet some of the organisations which have benefitted from the grants and rate support put in place by my Department.
