Leeds’ hospitality scene is just too important to lose.

Our city’s restaurants, bars, pubs and wider hospitality sector is central to our city’s identity and economy.

But as the Chancellor prepares to deliver the Budget, the Yorkshire Evening Post is joining forces with the city’s industry experts to issue a simple plea.

This Budget is the moment for Westminster to step up and put its money where its mouth is before the bill gets even bigger.

We’re urging the Government - both locally and nationally - to recognise the vital role hospitality plays in local jobs, the economy and Leeds’ identity.

Yorkshire Evening Post Hospitality roundtable Stuzzi, Leeds. | Steve Riding

placeholder image — Yorkshire Evening Post Hospitality roundtable Stuzzi, Leeds. | Steve Riding

Get the biggest Leeds headlines direct to your inbox every day - sign up to our newsletter

But businesses are counting the cost with every decision that is being made by local and national officials.

Rising costs and shrinking margins are making everything from staffing to sourcing produce more difficult, while businesses connected to the sector are also facing mounting pressure.

Yorkshire Evening Post Hospitality roundtable at Stuzzi, Leeds. | Steve Riding

And it’s felt in the pockets of diners as households feel the squeeze from the rising cost of living. Leeds needs to do more to shout from the rooftops and champion its hospitality scene while rising costs, recruitment difficulties and concerns about city centre accessibility continue to challenge businesses, industry figures have said.

But this can’t happen in isolation.

This needs a collective response to make sure those lifeblood businesses that make our city so special survive and thrive.

We need a Budget that backs businesses and, ultimately consumers, not one that leaves them counting the cost. The message is clear: it’s time to put hospitality on the map.