He now fears that the pressure hospitality businesses face from increasing costs could lead others working in the sector down a similar path. Norfolk chef Charlie Hodson is a patron of the charity Hospitality Action (Image: Hodson & Co)THE ISSUE OF VATHospitality businesses have seen their costs increase significantly in recent years. In the UK it is 20pc (Image: UK Hospitality)BUSINESS RATES INCREASEHospitality firms have also seen their business rates increase this year. It said the measure will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses in England and is expected to save a typical pub around £1,100 a year. Charlie Hodson (Image: Charlie Hodson)RISING STAFF COSTSEmployment costs have also gone up for hospitality businesses over the last 18 months.