Cafe owner urges PM to visit amid hospitality fears

A cafe owner who fears the hospitality sector is collapsing has posted online an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asking him to visit one of her cafes.

Lydia Papaphilippopoulo, from Warwickshire, posted the video on Instagram in response to the 15% business rate relief announced last month for pubs and music venues.

But Papaphilippopoulo, who owns Warwick Street Kitchen in Leamington Spa and Warwick alongside two Saint Kitchen branches in Birmingham, questioned what that meant for other hospitality firms.

She told the BBC she fears other outlets also struggle with rent, cost of living and high VAT rates. Sir Keir agreed that "conditions for flourishing streets" were needed.

The cafe owner claimed government policy was pushing "hardworking businesses to the brink".

"Hospitality is collapsing. Young people are being denied opportunities," Papaphilippopoulo said.

"I've seen the stages of pre-Brexit and Covid. A lot of business owners are embarrassed to come and out and say that, as it looks like they're failing - but they aren't.

"Government policy isn't allowing them to grow. Starmer talks a lot about the rise of youth unemployment.

"But the hospitality industry employs so many young people, it's often their first jobs, gets them into careers, teaches them essential skills.

Her post on social media said she has been met with no change, after highlighting the issues through "proper channels".

Addressing Sir Keir directly, she said: "So here's my invitation: come to one of my cafes. See the reality. Talk to the people actually keeping this industry alive.

"This is about jobs, youth, and the future of our communities. Watch. Share. Make them listen."

At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, MP for Stourbridge Cat Eccles, said she was pleased with the new business rate relief for pubs.

She added: "Hospitality and leisure play a vital role for our communities, providing jobs and spaces to socialise in, so will the prime minister consider a similar rates relief package for hospitality and leisure?"

Starmer responded to say Eccles was right that "conditions for flourishing streets" were needed.

He said: "That underscores the importance of six interest rate cuts, the £5.8bn that we have put into Pride in Place, and the work to put money in people's pockets.

"I am pleased that we have delivered a 15% cut and a two-year freeze for pubs and live music venues. That comes on top of the £4.3bn to support businesses, and permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties."

Papaphilippopoulo said "we're fortunate to be busy".

"It's rare, but we're just staying afloat," she said.

"I want to show the financial reality of the high street and the facts and figures of what it's like for people grafting away."

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