Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster
Hospitality Ulster has asked those who will be going out this weekend to be extra vigilant, obey the rules, and be kind to staff.
The organisation says that those in the sector will be grateful for the support and trade, but that it is important that we start to work ourselves away from repeated lockdowns and restrictions which can be helped if everyone plays their part.
The sector has invested thousands of pounds per business in being covid secure and has had very little chance to reclaim any of those additional costs back. Many are operating in the red after cash reserves have been drained and huge amounts of staff have been laid off. Many will struggle to even open this weekend. It is a very difficult environment to trade in and any money that is made will only be used to offset debt that has been accumulated over months.
Hospitality Ulster has also reiterated the call to the NI Executive to ensure that the small amount of emergency financial assistance offered to date gets to those who need it and that it also must consider that this pre-christmas trading period sustains many in the sector into the New Year and that that aid needs to be significantly increased.
Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:
“This has been one of the cruellest years in a generation for the sector. We’ve never experienced anything like this before and we want to make sure that we can move away from the repeated lockdowns and restrictions as quickly as we can.”
“We need everyone to help. Business owners who have invested so much time, effort and money to get reopened want people to have a good time, but we need everyone to abide by the rules. We’d also like to ask people to be kind to staff who are there to provide that quality experience but also to keep everyone as safe as they can be. That includes listening to their instructions, providing details for tack and trace and being covid compliant.”
“We still need to see a reopening date for our traditional non-food pubs which are a vital part of our overall hospitality offer here. It was devastating to see this week that some of our best known bars have taken the decision not to reopen until the new year. That’s a difficult thing to come to terms with, especially at this part of the year and really goes to show how hard this virus has hit us all in the industry.”
“Without a reopening date in sight for the traditional non-food pubs and for those who decide that they cannot open sustainably under the stringent restrictions we need to see the urgent financial assistance get to them. It’s nowhere near enough and we are asking that the Executive works with the industry to understand that emergency financial assistance must recognise that in ‘normal times’ a third of the annual profit is made in the Christmas period which sustains many in the leaner periods through the year. We really appreciate the financial support given, but the reality is a couple of hundred quid here and there isn’t cutting it and only plugging small gaps from previous debt.”
“We also have to remember that the impact this stop start situation is having on the food and drink supply chain which supports the hospitality sector. Multi-million pound losses are being incurred as fresh food perishes and drink has to be poured down the drain as it’s not clear about next steps until relatively late in the day. The sector itself and the supply chain needs certainty.”
New restrictions for anyone visiting a food pub, restaurant, hotel, coffee shop, cafe etc. include;
Maximum table size 6 persons
Only 2 households per table
Everyone must provide their name and contact details
Everyone must wear a face covering when not seated
(medical and age exemptions apply)