Pubs, hotels and other hospitality businesses in Taunton and Wellington need to be treated fairly by the government, Gideon Amos MP told Parliament on Wednesday.

His comments came during an Opposition Debate which called for the production of a dedicated strategy for the industry.

Mr Amos said the businesses were not just places to eat and drink – “they are the heart of our communities.”

He added: “They provide jobs, keep our high streets alive and make our communities better and stronger, but many of them tell me that they feel abandoned as a result of the government’s policies.

“Across the country, an average of 30 pubs close their doors every week.

“In Taunton and Wellington, Shane Fisher, who runs the lovely Allerford Inn at Norton Fitzwarren, has recently taken on the Racehorse Inn in Taunton town centre.

“He describes policy effects that are simply unsustainable. The business rates he pays are now greater than his lease—than the cost of the building. Business rates at that level simply cannot be right.

“The Castle Hotel in Taunton, an iconic landmark that has been a hotel since 1786 and has famously been run by the Chapman family since 1950, faces similar challenges.

“In 2024-25, it paid £21,000 in business rates; the very next year, it is being asked to pay well over double, £52,000.

“When that is combined with the damaging increase in National Insurance last year and other cost increases, upwards of £200,000 has been added to its costs in a single year.

“The Little Wine Shop in Taunton’s great independent quarter told me that this kind of increase in costs, coupled with VAT, is killing the industry.”

Mr Amos said these kinds of businesses were in survival mode.

“Hospitality businesses need support, not just through fair taxes, but by seeing the benefit of their taxes being invested in public services, such as policing.

“That is why I am delighted that our Liberal Democrat town council in Taunton is introducing street marshals, who will provide reassurance, safety and support to people in the town centre.

“I also welcome the government’s ten extra police officers in Taunton and West Somerset.

He added: “Lifting town centre businesses by providing safe environments that attract customers is hugely valuable.

“Nowhere is that more true than for hospitality, and I encourage the government to go further on that.”

Later in the debate, Mr Amos said the hospitality sector was not asking for special treatment.

“Rather, it is asking for fairness, a level playing field and the chance to compete, invest and thrive without being penalised by the tax system.

“That is why Liberal Democrats have long called for business rates to be scrapped and replaced with a fairer system – one that shifts the burden from the tenants to the landowners.

“It is why we opposed the rise in National Insurance contributions, which squeezes small firms and workers alike.

“The Government need to listen to the hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs in towns such as Taunton and Wellington because, unless things change, more doors will close, more jobs will go, and communities across the country will be poorer for it.”

The debate ended with a vote on the motion opposing increased taxes on the hospitality sector being voted down by the government – 334-158.