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Gordon Ramsay has warned that the hospitality industry is facing a “blood bath” following the Chancellor’s tax hikes, which he fears will make hospitality businesses “lambs to the slaughter”. The 59-year-old, who operates more than 30 restaurants across the country, said he’s “never seen it so bad” following Rachel Reeves’ Budget. The father-of-four claimed eateries were closing daily due to rising business rates.

He told the Standard: “The industry is facing a bloodbath. I’ve never seen it so bad. When I look ahead to April, when the Budget measures come in, I think those of us in hospitality are lambs to the slaughter. Restaurants are already closing every other day. It devastates me because it seems no one in power is thinking ahead and considering where we’ll be in five years. We’re being suffocated.

“What’s happening to pubs is madness: there was already one shutting every day before these proposed rises in business rates and taxes. They’re being crippled.”

Ramsay said the current situation is even worse than after the 2008 financial crisis, as businesses are recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic, during which many restaurants had to close as part of government-ordered lockdowns.

He added: “With this business rate storm brewing, it’s going to be catastrophic.”

The chef also said he’d “lost confidence” in the Government, highlighting the issues with inheritance tax for farmers.

His comments came after Reeves insisted her plans to ease the burden of business rates facing pubs would not extend to other firms.

The move was met with a wave of criticism from businesses, including hotels and restaurants, that face increasing tax bills in April.

Reeves told the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, that her planned support package wouldn’t cover the “wider hospitality sector”.

Chief Executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, Andrew Goodacre, said in a statement: “All high street businesses are facing significant increases in their rates liability.

“If this Government is genuinely interested in supporting high streets, it would not see only one part of the high streets as important.”