As of 1st July 2009, VAT on all restaurants and cafes in France has been cut from 19.6 per cent to 5.5 per cent, a huge reduction leading to big savings for consumers. This translates into a saving of approximately 10 per cent when passed onto customers, meaning a meal typically costing €15 (£13) will be reduced to around €13.20 (£11.40).
The move aims to boost consumer spending in the busy summer period throughout France and attract more visitors on Paris breaks from the UK, offsetting the slightly weaker Pound Sterling against the Euro.
Tags: Breaks·cafes in france·Euro·france·meal·paris·Pound·pound sterling·restaurant·restaurants·Sterling·UK·vat
Passengers on the Eurostar to Paris these days are just as likely to be Parisians going home for a break as visiting Londoners. The number of French people living and working in London has exploded in recent years, fueled by demand for their skills in the finance sector, and a preference for setting up business in a less regulated environment. An estimate came up in a report about the two Mayors of the twin capitals, with London elections on Thursday May 1st and a visit from Ken Livingstone’s Parisian counterpart:
Mayor of Paris comes out to support Ken – from Pink News
It is estimated that over 300,000 French people live in London, all of whom are eligible to vote in the election on May 1st.
Tags: break·Euro·eurostar·french people·ken livingstone·living and working in london·London·london elections·Londoners·Mayor·mayor of paris·News·paris·Passengers
