The Pass · No. 1

Scotland backs a VAT cut, help for at-risk pubs, AI agents for small firms

29 September 2026 · UK hospitality and AI news for operators, every Tuesday.

Epicurean Digital Consultants

The Pass

UK hospitality and AI news for operators, every Tuesday
No. 1 · 29 September 2026

The Scottish Government joins the push for lower hospitality VAT, at-risk pubs may qualify for new high-street funding, and AI agents move closer to small businesses and online checkouts. Here is what matters for an independent venue this week.

UK hospitality

Scottish Government backs the #VATsTheProblem campaign

Morning Advertiser · 28 Sep

The Scottish Government and the SNP have joined calls to cut hospitality VAT to 10%, adding political weight to the industry campaign. Nothing changes yet, so this week's lesson shows what VAT takes from each sale today. Read at Morning Advertiser →

At-risk pubs could get support from a £210m high-street package

Morning Advertiser · 28 Sep

The Government package aims to revive high streets and empty buildings, and pubs and community businesses at risk of closure could benefit. Worth asking your local council how the money will be allocated in your area. Read at Morning Advertiser →

Three Welsh councils scrap or suspend visitor levy plans

Morning Advertiser · 28 Sep

The councils stepped back after opposition from businesses and tourists. If you trade in Wales, whether a levy applies now depends on your council, so check its current position before setting next year's room prices. Read at Morning Advertiser →

This week’s lesson · EDC Academy

Ali Solak beside the words £6 sandwich, £5 net, VAT changes everything

Eat-in or takeaway: how VAT changes what you keep

Why the same £6 sandwich can leave you £6 or £5, and a pricing check to run across both channels.

▶ Watch the lesson · 2:49

Made with AI · YouTube labels this video “Content was made with AI”.

Rules & tax

UKHospitality guidance on staff accommodation and possession rights

UKHospitality · 23 Sep

It covers service occupancies for staff who live in, in England and Wales. If any of your team live on site, read it before your next contract or accommodation change. Read at UKHospitality →

HMRC's list for checking whether a contact is genuine

HMRC · 29 Sep

HMRC publishes recent emails, calls, texts and letters it has actually sent, so you can spot scams. Before anyone on your team pays or shares details after an HMRC message, check it against this list. Read at HMRC →

AI for operators

Meta is opening its Muse AI agent to small businesses

TechCrunch · 29 Sep

Meta says the agent can help owners run their business and find new customers. If you try it, start with low-risk tasks and check what account access you are granting before letting it act for you. Read at TechCrunch →

Shopify lets browser-based AI agents complete checkout for buyers

TechCrunch · 28 Sep

With the buyer's authorisation, agents can now update order details and pay on Shopify stores. If you sell vouchers, hampers or merchandise online, clear product details and prices matter to software as well as people. Read at TechCrunch →

OpenAI launches GPT-6.1 Sol, pitched as close to its top model for less

TechCrunch · 29 Sep

OpenAI says the new model handles documents and multi-step business tasks better than its predecessor. For venues using AI for menus, rotas or customer replies, a cheaper capable model lowers the cost of experimenting. Read at TechCrunch →

One thing to try this week

Check VAT on your best sellers

Pick a handful of your best-selling items. For each, note the eat-in price, the takeaway price, the VAT treatment and what you keep after VAT. The same dish can earn quite different amounts depending on where it is eaten. Open the VAT lesson →

Compiled with AI tools from the reports linked above. The summaries are ours; the reporting belongs to the publications named.

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