Expert Eye: Zohaib Hussain, Zero Plus Fish & Chips, Cardiff 

Instead of dwelling on the negatives of the Autumn Budget, Zohaib is readying his business for the changes

I’ve gone through so many budgets now that I have come to realise whatever is decided is out of our hands. So the way I approach them now is that these rules have come out, what can I do to make sure that my business stays stable throughout this period? And I’ve learned that preparation and adaptability are key.

For example, the rise in NI contributions from 13.8% to 15% and the increase in the National Minimum Wage means I am budgeting and planning for higher payroll costs. These have also pushed us to reevaluate how we manage costs and operations. We’ve put a hold on hiring for the time being and put a flexible stance on all our future adverts to make sure any staff coming in can offer us flexibility so we can utilise them as much as possible.

It’s also prompted me to plan shifts more efficiently. Our till system tells us how much money we’re making per hour, and based on that, we can allocate the right staff levels. Or in quiet periods, we can ask our flexible staff to have the day off. That’s why it was so important that when we hire new staff members, we put that flexibility in their contracts so that we can say, “We don’t need you, can you take a day off?”.

With Capital Gains Tax set to increase in April 2025 from 19% to 25%, we’re evaluating our assets now. If we need to offset equipment or machinery, we’ll act before the higher rate takes effect. Similarly, the changes in Corporation Tax are encouraging us to think strategically about when and how we invest in our business. 

In 2026, there will be an immediate reduction in business rates, but what I would say to businesses is to have a look now to see if there are any grants available. There is some relief being offered, especially in Wales. The Welsh government looks after business rates and they do give relief to small businesses so if you can get relief, go and get it. For businesses paying extremely high rates, it’s also worth seeing if you can appeal. We successfully appealed ours in the past, saving over £2,400 annually. Factors like the size of your premises, location, or even having a disabled toilet can influence your eligibility for relief. And that appeal stays in place for five years. 

The key to navigating these changes is access to clear, actionable information. Budget announcements can be daunting. I’ve done an accountancy degree and I didn’t always fully understand the Budget when it was coming out of Rachel Reeves’ mouth. That’s why I value Budget breakdowns from organisations like The NFFF or my accountant. These summaries interpret hours of policy into practical tips often tailored to hospitality. They’re invaluable for understanding not just what’s changing but what steps we can take to stay stable in this period.

Ultimately, the Autumn Budget is beyond our control, but how we respond isn’t. For me, it’s about maintaining stability and preparing for what’s ahead. Whether it’s refining payroll processes, investing before tax hikes, or securing business rates relief, we want to keep our businesses’ trajectories going forward.