UK Hospitality Chief Kate Nicholls has reacted to the government’s roadmap for lifting COVID-19 restrictions with dismay.
She said: “The sector is obviously devastated that its reopening will be so far away. From the start of November, the sector will have been closed for nearly 200 days, with just a couple of weeks of heavily restricted trading in December. A major package of financial support is imperative if hospitality is to survive.”
UK Hospitality has also highlighted the plight of the hospitality supply chain which is facing devastation with 324,000 jobs at risk unless businesses receive immediate financial support from the Government.
UK Hospitality’s Supplier Alliance research highlights the impact of the COVID crisis on the hospitality supply chain and the lack of financial support that has been received by businesses.
Key findings from the report:
- 1 in 5 jobs in the supplier workforce have already been lost (workforce now just 82% of February 2020 level)
- 1 in 3 businesses have received no Government grants or loans
- Without support, 2 in 5 businesses will have to close, with 1 in 5 facing insolvency – 324,000 redundancies likely
- Hospitality venues will need to return to 59% of normal trading levels to make supplier services viable.
Richard Strongman, MD of Harvest, is campaigning on behalf of food and drink wholesalers.
“Pre-Covid-19, wholesalers supplied 330,000 food service businesses and 72,000 grocery stores, and local high streets. They supported 1.4 million jobs; more than the five biggest supermarkets. Given their importance for the public sector and the hospitality industry, wholesalers will be intrinsic to Britain’s economic restart.
“Despite this, Government has chosen to exclude food wholesalers from much support. We are calling for this to change,” he said.
You can support Richard’s call for support by adding your name to this petition.
Grant food and drink wholesalers bespoke financial support – Petitions (parliament.uk)
