Exclusive: ‘Havering Is Being Fleeced’: Andrew Rosindell MP Backs Family Business Hit by £19,000 Rates Bombshell”

Andrew Rosindell, the Reform UK Member of Parliament for Romford, has visited a family-run Hornchurch business facing closure due to soaring business rates, lending his support to Gina and Vincenzo of Umberto’s, a much-loved Italian restaurant that has served the community for more than three decades.

The visit follows headlines made last week after the couple placed a sign in their doorway reading “No Entry to Labour MPs”. The decision comes after the owners say they are facing a dramatic increase in business rates, rising from £6,800 a year to a projected £19,000, leaving them struggling to keep their doors open after 32 years on Hornchurch High Street.

Speaking exclusively to the Havering Daily, Gina and Vincenzo shared the pressure they are under.

“Several years ago, before this government arrived we were paying £2,200 a year. Then with the new government it tripled and went to £6,800 which we began to struggle with due to all the other outgoing expenses we have. Now, according to the calculations on the government site, our bill will rise to £19,000.”

Mr Rosindell visited the restaurant to show his support and said he would bring Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to Umberto’s to hear directly from the owners about their situation.

Mr Rosindell told the Havering Daily:
“This is appalling. It’s anti-business, especially anti small business, and devastating for places like Hornchurch, Romford and Collier Row, for hardworking local people trying to make an honest living, being absolutely clobbered by business rates, national insurance hikes and all the other restrictions the government is imposing.

“Havering is suffering so much but we do not get our fair share of resources and with a lot of the money from the business rates going directly to Mayor Khan, we are being totally fleeced in this borough. I feel deeply sorry for businesses like this, a lovely Italian restaurant, run by local people. It’s very sad when people who just want to make an honest living are being stopped from doing so because they have huge tax rates imposed on them. And what do they get? Nothing. These business rates, they do not really get anything for them, they have so many other outgoing expenses.

“Frankly, the whole system needs reforming and I know that my new party Reform UK are pro business. We want to support especially the local businesses and that means a complete review of how business rates are collected, so we help businesses like this to survive.”

Gina and Vincenzo say they are now facing an uncertain future despite being a fixture on the Hornchurch high street for more than three decades.

The Romford MP Andrew Rosindell with Umberto Owner Vincenzo.

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