Restaurateur Conor Sullivan has welcomed the VAT cut on food and attractions and believes it could be a recipe for success and a kickstart for the economy.

Mr Sullivan, who runs a family restaurant in the island with his wife Bernie, says he is determined to pass on the reduction to customers by offering savings and discounts on midweek nights.

And he hopes others in the hospitality industry will think along similar lines.

He told Business News ’I believe other restaurants should follow suit.

’All restaurants should be seen to try and do some something to try and entice more people out but they should also be able to save a little bit of money themselves from the VAT saving.

’We would like to attract people to come out and spend money by doing things like meal deals because that is what keeps the economy going.’

Mr Sullivan and his wife Bernie run the La Mona Lisa family restaurant near the harbour in old Laxey.

He spoke out after it was announced last week that the VAT rate on eating out in restaurants and attractions will be reduced to 5% from 20% from tomorrow (Wednesday) to Tuesday, January 12.

There already is no VAT on takeaway food.

Announcing new midweek offers on Facebook, Mr Sullivan issued this message to customers: ’The government wants to get the economy moving . . . they’ve done their bit, this is our bit ... now you do your bit and get booking your tables’.

He added the six month long cut in VAT for hospitality was welcomed and added: ’As a business we are delighted with this news, we survived being closed, we kept our permanent staff on full wages throughout and we are thankful to the government for their support.

’The aim of the VAT reduction is to stimulate the economy/you into going out and spending, this creates jobs and keeps everything turning ... the VAT reduction is not to increase businesses’ profits!

’We have looked at where our business is struggling. We intend to use our VAT reduction to stimulate you to eat more often midweek.’

He recalled the week they reopened the restaurant last month after the lockdown ended.

’It was one of the busiest weeks we have ever had outside of the TT and the Grand Prix festival. Every day of the week we were packed.’

Mr Sullivan said it was always busy at weekends at the Italian restaurant.