A RESTAURANT owner has said the Government’s plans to introduce a points-based immigration system will cut growth and make it harder to hire staff.

Australian David Toscano set up his Cin Cin street food van in Brighton seven years ago after moving to the UK in 2006.

Now he owns two restaurants - in North Laine and Western Road - and employs staff from Italy, Ireland and France among other countries.

But he worries the Government’s plans to crack down on “low-skilled” immigrants will harm restaurants and stigmatise the industry.

“These proposed changes are due in 10 months and that’s simply not enough time for small and medium sized businesses to adapt,” he said.

“It will cut off growth, deter investment in our high streets, and make it even harder to hire and train staff.

“I’d love to open another Cin Cin in Sussex, but lack of recruitment is the biggest restriction on growth.

“It’s time to stop describing hospitality work as ‘low-skilled’.

“It’s demeaning to suggest our jobs can be done by anybody.

“One of the biggest challenges hospitality has is the belief people just do it between jobs or because they’re not sure what they want to do.”

Mr Toscano, who grew up in a family of Italian immigrants in Sydney, said the Government needed to respect hospitality workers.

“My team is the backbone of my business,” he said.

“They work long hours, they bring ideas to the table every week and most importantly, they are committed to making sure every customer leaves happy.”