About The British Takeaway Campaign
Launched in 2017, the British Takeaway Campaign (BTC) is an umbrella group which represents those involved in the supply and preparation of the nation’s favourite foods. We aim to secure recognition of the economic, social and cultural contribution of the sector and to back it’s growth by boosting skills and supporting access to training.
Our members include Just Eat, K10 Restaurants, The British Kebab Awards, UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry, The Foodservice Packaging Association, Curry Life, QuickBite, The Night Time Industries Association, The National Federation of Fish Friers, The Bangladeshi Caterers Association, The Nationwide Caterers Association, The Catering Equipment Suppliers’ Association and UK Hospitality.
After starting my career washing dishes to now owning three restaurants, I’ve seen first-hand the opportunities that the takeaway sector offers. I’m proud to be Chair of the British Takeaway Campaign, which works to ensure the takeaway sector is recognised for the economic, social and cultural contribution it makes to this country.
Ibrahim Dogus Chair, British Takeaway Campaign
What we do
Policy & Campaigning
The BTC was established in 2017, to secure recognition of the economic, social and cultural contribution the takeaway sector makes to the UK. Our aim is to work with the government to ensure the sector can continue to thrive and make a positive contribution.
Supporting Takeaway Owners
The takeaway sector is a hotbed of entrepreneurialism. With 40% of takeaway owners being first-time entrepreneurs, we want to make sure they have the support they need to flourish. To make sure the industry thrives, the BTC helps its members navigate complex legislation and provides guidance to support their efforts in responding to changing consumer demands.
Building a Network of Members
The BTC draws together some of the largest trade associations, suppliers and thousands of restaurants. We represent the industry as a whole and provide a voice for our members to tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges.
Covid-19 and the Future of Takeaway
Our latest report provides a snapshot of the contribution made by the takeaway sector to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on research conducted by Retail Economics in 2021, the report examines the significant steps restaurant and takeaway owners took to continue serving their communities and ensure their businesses survived. It also illustrates how consumer appetites continue to change and what the future of takeaway will look like.
Policy Recommendations
Small Business Finance
- The Government should make changes to the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme so that established businesses can access equity from investors, rather than more debt through the Recovery Loan Scheme announced in the Budget in March. Access to finance is incredibly important if businesses are to be able to adapt their operations.
- The Government must ensure that Restart Grants are distributed speedily, with uniform criteria across the UK so that takeaways and restaurants get equal access wherever they are based.
- The Government should extend the current reduced 5% VAT rate until the end of March 2022 while the sector recovers.
- The Government must bring forward the business rates review to coincide with the new business rates tiers beginning from the end of June. The business rates system is now no longer fit for purpose. Changes to rates relief when hospitality businesses have only just been able to fully reopen and trade as normal will have a huge impact on business viability.
- From our research and speaking with restaurant owners, it is clear the proposed ban on online advertising would cripple thousands of small businesses which are fighting to survive. The businesses we represent do not have multi-million-pound advertising campaigns. Facebook and Instagram are their shop windows, now more so than ever. Removing their ability to advertise their core menu offerings on social media robs them of a crucial way to reach customers.
Skills
- The government should mandate that T-level placements are paid, in the same way apprenticeships are. Currently, payment of students during their industry placement is at the discretion of the employer. To encourage more young people into technical education, the career benefits and opportunities must be clear and paid placements would play a significant role in inspiring interest in technical education.
- We urge the government therefore to bring forward the introduction of the Catering and Hospitality T-level to 2021, to reflect the need to increase the homegrown talent entering the sector.
- The government should explore the feasibility of introducing a grant aimed at large and medium-sized businesses to incentivise them to offer placements to T-level students, similar to the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, which was withdrawn in 2018. Industry placements are at the core of the T-level curriculum, but they require the government, colleges and industry to work together to ensure students have access to high-quality placements.
Immigration
- The government should reduce the salary threshold for its future regime. And as soon as this level is set for the future immigration system, the salary requirement for chefs under the current Shortage Occupation List should be brought in line with it. These two changes will support the sector in both the short and medium term.
- The government should increase the duration of short-term visas to two years, with a two-year cooling off period if necessary, in order to offset the cost of recruiting and training new employees.
- The government should introduce a medium- and long-term strategic skills list (MLTSSL), which is a key part of the Australian system, and designates professions which are of strategic importance to economic growth. Chefs are included in the Australian MLTSSL, meaning they can reapply for a visa on a continuous basis.