Liberal Democrats call for hospitality support amid ‘unprecedented rates’ of Christmas cancellations
The Liberal Democrats have written to the government requesting urgent support for hospitality firms impacted by plan B measures.
Pubs and restaurants in city centres have been concerned about a drop off in trade during what is usually their busiest time of year, following fresh work-from-home guidance.
In a letter to the minister for small business, Paul Scully, Daisy Cooper and Sarah Olney said pubs were experiencing “unprecedented rates of booking cancellations” this Christmas.
Consumer confidence has been hit hard in the wake of the arrival of new Covid variant Omicron while office parties have been cancelled in the wake of new guidance.
“The sector has been dealt another hammer blow with no prospect of support in the pipeline,” the letter stated.
We need an urgent hospitality summit to bring together representatives from hospitality, leisure and the supply chains with hospitality workers and government, to put in place an emergency plan to save our pubs, restaurants, hotels and nightlife from collapse.
Firms have already paid for stock for the Christmas period in the wake of supply chain disruptions, the MPs said. “Much of this can’t be stored for the future, and even the small proportion that can will cause immediate cashflow disruption in already struggling businesses.”
What’s more, venues who will be required to use a Covid passport system, such as nightclubs or other large indoor venues, will “incur extra staffing costs”.
The letter also put forward concerns that hospitality workers may be “left in dire financial straits” if their hours are cut.
The Liberal Democrats have written to the government requesting urgent support for hospitality firms impacted by plan B measures.
Pubs and restaurants in city centres have been concerned about a drop off in trade during what is usually their busiest time of year, following fresh work-from-home guidance.
In a letter to the minister for small business, Paul Scully, Daisy Cooper and Sarah Olney said pubs were experiencing “unprecedented rates of booking cancellations” this Christmas.
Consumer confidence has been hit hard in the wake of the arrival of new Covid variant Omicron while office parties have been cancelled in the wake of new guidance.
“The sector has been dealt another hammer blow with no prospect of support in the pipeline,” the letter stated.
We need an urgent hospitality summit to bring together representatives from hospitality, leisure and the supply chains with hospitality workers and government, to put in place an emergency plan to save our pubs, restaurants, hotels and nightlife from collapse.
Firms have already paid for stock for the Christmas period in the wake of supply chain disruptions, the MPs said. “Much of this can’t be stored for the future, and even the small proportion that can will cause immediate cashflow disruption in already struggling businesses.”
What’s more, venues who will be required to use a Covid passport system, such as nightclubs or other large indoor venues, will “incur extra staffing costs”.
The letter also put forward concerns that hospitality workers may be “left in dire financial straits” if their hours are cut.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent hospitality summit to discuss financial support for the sector.