Owner of Barrhead pub shares cost-of-living crisis concerns

The politician visited the Cross Stobs Inn on Grahamston Road to meet with Jonathan Wengel, who runs the award-winning establishment.

Together the pair had an “informal but informative” discussion about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the business.

Jonathan Wengel (Image: Image: Newsquest)

Jonathan told the Barrhead News: “It was mainly to discuss my concerns regarding the lack of support for hospitality in Scotland.

"England is receiving 75% plus relief in business rates. Scotland isn’t and the business rates paid in England anyway are half of what they usually are in Scotland.

“This affects things like Sky Sports TV which is based on your business rate’s value.

“Also (there is) no help in the rate of VAT despite other countries, i.e. Spain, France, Germany etc, all offering discounted VAT rates for hospitality.

“Despite the crisis, minimum wages went up 10% in April, the new wine tax was brought in and in August the general cost of everything has gone through the roof.

“My electricity went up nearly four-fold last April and my gas is more than doubling from the end of this month.

“I explained all of my concerns and hopefully something will get done eventually.”

MSP Tom Arthur (Image: NQ)

Tom was invited for the visit after previously writing to Jonathan to offer his congratulations following the Cross Stob’s success at the Scottish Hospitality and Entertainment Awards in May.

The pub won Best Independent Bar for the central belt and came runner up for Best Sports Bar at the ceremony in Glasgow.

Jonathan was “over the moon” for his staff that the pub received the accolades after all of their hard work through a particularly tough few years.

The Barrhead pub scooped an award at a major awards ceremony earlier this year (Image: Supplied)

The MSP said: “I really enjoyed catching up with Jonathan again and being able to congratulate them on their recent successes.

“It was also an opportunity to discuss future plans for the business as they tackle some of the challenges facing Cross Stobs and other hospitality venues in the area as the effects of the cost-of-living crisis continue.

“Pubs like this are at the heart of their communities and play such a strong role in providing safe, welcoming spaces for people outside of their own homes.

“I look forward to visiting again and wish them well with their continued success.”