London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Aug 02, 2025

New job support 'not adequate' for London businesses say West End landlords

New job support 'not adequate' for London businesses say West End landlords

From November, under Tier 2, workers will have to do at least 20 per cent of their hours to get 73 per cent of their normal wages

One of the West End’s biggest landowners fears businesses are still “doomed” this winter, despite new help announced today by the Government.

Soho Estates managing director John James also called on the Government to end the 10pm curfew and allow households to mix, in order to “save” businesses this winter.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak today (October 21) updated the Job Support Scheme, designed to help hospitality and leisure businesses in Tier 2 areas such as London.

Currently, under Tier 3, the Government will pay 67 per cent of workers’ wages and the employer won’t pay anything. So the employee gets a 67 per cent wage.


John James, managing director of Soho Estates, says the Government needs to offer more to support West End businesses. Image provided by Soho Estates


From November, under Tier 2, workers will have to do at least 20 per cent of their hours to get 73 per cent of their normal wages. The employer would pay 24 per cent of their wage and the Government would pay 49 per cent.

This replaces the furlough scheme, which this month has seen the Government pay 60 per cent of employees’ wages, and the employer pay 20 per cent. But staff aren’t allowed to work.

Mr Sunak also announced cash grants of up to £2,100 a month for firms in Tier 2 areas, which could also be claimed retrospectively for August and September. These will be distributed by local councils.

The news was welcomed by parts of the hospitality industry in other parts of the country.

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, which represents the sector, called it a “generous package of support, which will make a huge difference in safeguarding hospitality jobs”.

But Mr James, whose company owns 22 restaurant units in Greek Street, Old Compton Street, Frith Street and Dean Street, called the Chancellor’s announcement “not adequate”.

He said: “The furlough scheme, the VAT break and Eat Out to Help Out saved a lot of jobs, they were a godsend for restaurants. And with the al fresco dining, Soho became a business centre again.

“But elsewhere in central London it’s still desolate. If the Chancellor gives a business £2,100 as a grant per month, I’m afraid that goes so little of a way to help businesses in Soho. I never know how they get to these amounts of money.

“The Job Support Scheme is not adequate. But what would be more adequate is stopping the curfew [10pm]. Groups of six are not going to stay outside when the weather is cold, and people from one household aren’t going to go out to Soho.”


Asher Grant, co-owner of Reign Nightclub In Piccadilly Circus. Image provided by Mr Grant


Meanwhile, Asher Grant, co-owner of REIGN nightclub in Piccadilly Circus, said the new funding would be a “drop in the ocean” for nightclubs.

As a member of a new campaign #SaveNightclubs, Mr Grant said: “[It] doesn’t even begin to tackle the £100,000s nightclubs and late night venues have had to pay out in rent and ongoing costs... We need real support packages that will save business and millions of jobs.”

Soho Estates also owns the premises in Leicester Square of Burger King, Pizza Hut and Garfunkel’s, as well as two night clubs and several other units.

Mr James added: “Leicester Square is very mixed-use and was all about tourists. Very sadly, it’s doomed.”

Nickie Aiken, MP for City of London and Westminster, which includes the West End, said the Chancellor’s announcement was “welcome news” for businesses.

She tweeted: “Welcome news for businesses in my constituency. I have lobbied for more support particularly for restaurants, bars and cafes who are finding it so tough at present.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
×