Romford MP Steps In To Help Hornchurch Couple Take Business Rates Fight Directly to the Chancellor.

The Hornchurch couple who own Umberto’s, a traditional family-run Italian restaurant, have now taken their case all the way to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP.

Gina and Vincenzo, who have run Umberto’s on Hornchurch High Street for 32 years, have faced rising financial pressures due to steep increases in business rates. Their bill, once £2,200, tripled to £6,800 and could now rise to £19,000 according to government figures. The couple made headlines after placing a sign in their doorway reading “No Labour MPs Welcome” in protest at these increases.

Andrew Rosindell, the Member of Parliament for Romford, stepped in after hearing about the financial difficulties the couple were facing. He visited Umberto’s personally to offer his support and later took their case to the House of Commons, asking the Speaker for a debate to highlight the plight of small business owners struggling under rising costs.

Thanks to Mr Rosindell’s intervention, Gina and Vincenzo’s situation has now been formally referred to the Chancellor for consideration. The couple say the rising costs are threatening the future of their family business, which has been a fixture in Hornchurch for more than three decades. They hope the government will act to prevent these historic small businesses from being forced to close under the weight of soaring business rates.

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