Westmorland Family achieve Fair Tax Mark accreditation
Started in 1972 from a farm in Cumbria, the family business is known for its unique motorway service areas, Tebay, Gloucester and Cairn Lodge, as well as a service station for HGV drivers, Junction 38. Westmorland Family also includes Rheged, a meeting place, café, gallery and cinema, and the Westmorland Hotel situated on the edge of the Lake District.
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes, housed under a grass roof.
Westmorland Family work with local producers, celebrating place and craft through the food offered across their companies. With a strong focus on community partnerships, they work with other organisations focused on sustainable development and wellbeing, particularly among children and young people.
The Fair Tax Mark is an independent accreditation, which recognises organisations that demonstrate they are paying the right amount of corporation tax in the right place, at the right time. Businesses carrying the Fair Tax Mark include UK national brands such as Timpson, Lush, and Richer Sounds, listed companies including SSE and Marshalls Plc., as well as co-operatives, family businesses and social enterprises.
With the Fair Tax Mark accreditation, Westmorland Family has been verified as paying the right and fair amount of corporation tax, which helps fund public services, grow the economy and reduce inequality. Polling commissioned by the Fair Tax Foundation from Walnut Social Research has recently found that the vast majority of the UK public would rather shop with (70%) or work for a business (72%) that can prove it is paying its fair share of tax. Over three quarters (76%) of the public believe that all companies, whatever their size, should have to publicly disclose the taxes they do or don’t pay in the UK.
Neil Austin, Chief Financial Officer, Westmorland Family, said:
“Westmorland Family believe that paying the appropriate tax on our profits is fundamental to being responsible participants in society. We will fulfil our commitment by paying the right amount of tax in the right place and at the right time. We aim to be transparent in all our tax affairs and report them in a fashion that is a true reflection of the performance of our businesses.”
Graham Drummond, Head of Communications and Movement Building, Fair Tax Foundation, said:
“While their unique motorway service areas serve those from places far and wide, Westmorland Family has been at the heart of their local community for over 50 years. They have a history of championing producers on their doorstep and forging community partnerships that help local residents.” “It makes a lot of sense that they want to also show how they give back by paying the proper amount of tax as a business. Those tax contributions support the delivery of public services such as education, healthcare, roads, policing and more. We’re very pleased to welcome them to our international movement of progressive businesses”
