A prominent chef in Kenilworth has banned MPs from the Labour Party from his venues, citing disappointment over unfulfilled business promises after voting for them in the 2024 election. Andreas Antona, who runs Michelin-starred restaurants, expressed frustration with recent policy changes impacting the hospitality sector. He hopes the ban will prompt politicians to better understand business realities.
Andreas Antona, a chef and businessman based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, has taken a bold step by barring Members of Parliament from the Labour Party from his restaurants. This decision stems from his dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the hospitality industry since Labour's election victory in 2024.
Antona, whose career spans over 50 years starting in London, owns The Cross in Kenilworth, which recently retained its Michelin star for the 12th consecutive year, and another venue in Birmingham. He voted for Labour after 15 years of Conservative governance, which he described as marked by "inactivity and stagnation" that harmed the economy, especially amid Covid-19 lockdowns.
"I voted for them because I thought they’d be better for business, but they’ve shown absolutely no business acumen - in fact the opposite," Antona told CoventryLive. He emphasized that his voting is driven by business interests rather than ideology: "I vote for the party I think has the best business acumen, I always have."
Antona highlighted policies such as changes in employment rights, increased National Insurance contributions, and rises in rates and taxes, which he and others in the sector view as detrimental. He noted that for every pound spent in hospitality, at least 40p goes to the government via VAT, national insurance, and pensions, rising to about 45p with local taxes. This leaves roughly half a pound to cover costs that already consume around 60 percent of revenue, making operations unsustainable.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges, with Antona paying approximately £20,000 monthly in national insurance for furloughed staff for over a year while revenue halted. He borrowed funds to survive and criticized the swift return to full VAT rates without extended recovery support. Rising costs have forced discounting to attract customers, preventing price adjustments, and dining habits have not fully recovered, leaving venues half-empty.
Antona suggested reducing VAT on food to 10 percent as a fairer approach. He imposed the ban on Labour MPs to draw attention: "That is why we’ve banned Labour MPs from our venues because maybe then they might sit up and listen." Despite the measure, he expressed a desire for dialogue, urging policymakers—who he believes lack business experience—to review operations firsthand.
After three decades in the industry, Antona voiced rare concern: "For the first time in 30 years I’m genuinely worried about the future of the industry and whether young people will see it as a career." He stressed hospitality's potential contributions to the economy and national wellbeing under supportive conditions.
