‘It’s not fair’: cafe owners frustrated over exclusion from business rates cut
Independent cafe owners in England are expressing frustration over being excluded from a new business rates relief package. The policy, which targets pubs and live music venues, leaves cafes struggling with rising energy costs.
Why it matters
The exclusion highlights the economic challenges faced by small businesses and the debate over which sectors deserve government support during a cost-of-living crisis.
The targeted relief package will support pubs, social clubs and live music venues, but not cafes. The targeted relief package will support pubs, social clubs and live music venues, but not cafes. UK news ‘It’s not fair’: cafe owners frustrated over exclusion from business rates cut Business owners in England say prioritising venues selling alcohol leaves vital community spaces behind
Amelia Hill Fri 24 Jul 2026 13.41 EDT Last modified on Sat 25 Jul 2026 00.12 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Ferdinand Geus is proud of the positive, global impact his small speciality coffee business is having.
“Around 3,000 small, family-owned farms in Yemen rely on us – we’ve persuaded many to stop growing khat, the drug, and start growing coffee instead,” said the business manager of Sheba Coffee , which supplies Yemeni coffee beans to independent cafes across the world, including the UK.
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