As you’ll be aware, there’s been a lot of noise in the media about making business rates and VAT fairer for pubs, but independent cafes and roasters lack a voice in this debate despite facing the same business struggles.
So, we’re helping independent cafes and roasteries across the UK come together and make their voices heard.
Together with Peter Dore-Smith from Kaffeine, we’re encouraging independent cafes and roasteries make some noise. We’ve created a letter template to send to local MPs, highlighting the real pressures independent hospitality businesses are facing and inviting them to visit, listen, and help drive meaningful change.
The idea is simple
If hundreds of small, owner-operated cafes and roasteries each send a personalised version of this letter to their MP, it becomes impossible to ignore the reality of what’s happening on our high streets.
The letter explains:
· The challenges independent cafes face daily
· The vital role businesses like yours play in your community
· Why urgent action is needed on business rates and VAT
· An invitation for your MP to visit your cafe and hear directly from you, your customers, and your suppliers
This is a moment for independents to stand together.
All you need to do is personalise the highlighted sections of the letter with your details, then print and post or email it to your MP. Of course, feel free to tailor the email to your own specific concerns – but the template gives you somewhere to start.
It only takes a few minutes, but the collective impact could be huge. You can look up your MP’s contact details here: https://members.parliament.uk/.
This is a moment for independents to stand together. Your voice genuinely matters and adding it to the growing chorus could make a real difference.
You can access the letter template and instructions here
And here is more information about the Independent Coffee Guide and on Instagram
If you need to contact us, use the form here or DM on Instagram
Thanks so much for taking the time and for everything you do as an independent business supporting your community every single day.
