Chancellor cops out on chance to boost NI Economy, but Beer and Spirit duty freeze welcome - Hospitality Ulster

Reacting to the UK Budget delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer this afternoon, Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster from Westminster said:

“We welcome some elements of the Budget outlined by the Chancellor this afternoon, but there are a range of topics that require more work and a doubling down of pressure, as Northern Ireland once again remains far down the pecking order for the Treasury.”

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

“The potential for this Budget to deliver for the Northern Ireland economy and the hospitality sector was great, but instead it has left so many issues hanging and many questions unanswered.”

On Beer and Spirit Duty Freeze

“We welcome the freeze on beer duty by the Chancellor which ends five years of successive increases in beer tax. We are also happy to see that duty on spirits will stay the same. This is important for the hospitality sector here in Northern Ireland as we need to encourage people to come out and socialise in pubs and enjoy themselves in a controlled environment, otherwise more pubs will close and problem drinking at home will continue to increase.”

On Tourism VAT

“We are dismayed that the Chancellor has failed to address the issue of tourism VAT stating that the existence of multiple VAT rates in the same territory would lead to additional administrative burdens for taxpayers and businesses.” 

“The UK’s 20% Tourism VAT rate is one of the highest in Europe, and Northern Ireland hospitality and tourism businesses are particularly vulnerable as the Republic of Ireland is its second largest market and nearest competitor.”

“The disadvantage continues to be acutely felt right across Northern Ireland with the NI VAT rate acting as a brake on the growth of the hospitality and tourism sector.”

“How can the sector in NI be expected to compete when the UK government continues to tie the hands of the sector behind its back on this issue as the Republic pushes on, even at a new higher rate of 13.5% in the new year.”

"It is imperative that the rate is cut in Northern Ireland so we can continue to grow a vital part of the regional economy. The hospitality sector is an engine for growth and we can no longer suffocate it. This is a live and real problem which is crippling trade.”

On Air Passenger Duty (APD)

“We are disappointed that there has been no movement by the Chancellor today, but it is a result that a technical working group is to be established to examine the issue in detail.  We are hopeful that the group can come to a definitive and positive conclusion as soon as possible.”

“We live on an island, and in terms of business travel and tourists we need to maximise the opportunity that we have by lowering or eradicating barriers when it comes to getting on and off our island. Our airports have to compete internationally, and with the likes of Dublin airport only 100 miles down the road we have to pull every economic lever available to us when it comes to air travel. No change means that we continue to face the difficulties this tax presents. We need help to fill our hotels, pubs and restaurants the year round.”

Business Rates

“We look with some concern to the announcement by the Chancellor to provide all retailers in England with rateable value of £51,000 or less to have their business rates bill cut by a third and support from a £675m Future High Streets Fund to help councils there transform town centres.”

“Without an Assembly or Executive, we find ourselves in a very difficult position as Northern Ireland will not benefit from any of these financial injections due to the rating system being devolved.”

“The government has acknowledged at the highest level the need to deal with the rates problem crippling business elsewhere in the UK. Our devolved administration must also.”

“We now demand that Civil Servants here look at the policy developed under the previous Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir to revamp the small business rates relief system to lessen the financial burden on small retailers and the hospitality sector in particular so that we are in line with the rest of the UK and not left hanging because of the current political paralysis.”

“We have invited the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance to meet with us to address this issue urgently.”

Hospitality chief shocked at new research on supermarket undercutting ahead of UK Budget

Reacting to the news today that pub trade industry bible ‘The Morning Advertiser’ has published research that shows that the equivalent of pints in supermarkets are being sold for as low as 79p, Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster stated:

“We are astounded today to see the research from the pub trade publication ‘The Morning Advertiser’ that the below cost selling of alcohol is rife within supermarkets – a contributory factor in putting so many pubs here under extreme pressure.”

Colin Neill, Hospitality Ulster

“This shocking information comes just days away from a Budget that is likely to see the Chancellor increase beer duty by 3.5%, which will put 4p on the price of a pint. This is not acceptable and will be the ruination of many livelihoods, taking away jobs.”

“Figures show that between 2016 and 2017 alone, almost 90 pubs closed in Northern Ireland - an average of one every four days - partly because of five successive years of increases in beer tax.”

“The government is effectively pushing people out of pubs – a controlled environment – into harmful drinking at home which has a whole range of negative health and social consequences. Only 6% of the population consumes 44% here which will increase if supermarkets continue to get away with slashing prices.”

“How is the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland expected to compete in that environment when it is undercut, crippling the trade in the mouth of the festive period.”

Belfast City Council Draft Plan Strategy - Where is it in the system?

Belfast Local Development Plan (LDP) draft Plan Strategy (DPS) had been published for consultation on 23rd August and it had previously been agreed to keep the timetable under review to consider progress to date and the next stages in the process.

Whilst approval for publication of the DPS had been granted by the Council in June, it had been agreed to delay the launch until the end of the summer break to enhance the potential engagement and responses.

Due to the revised launch date for the DPS, it was likely that the full DPS consultation stage, including collation of representations and reporting to Councillors, would be completed by March 2019.

Following this, the DPS, all associated documents and all representations received must be collated and submitted to the Department for Infrastructure in May 2019. Following its consideration of the documents, DfI would then refer the DPS to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for the Independent Examination stage.

DfI had recently indicated that its consideration of the document should take up to six weeks, meaning that the DPS and all documents would be issued to the PAC by the end June, 2019.

Anger rises at Community Pharmacists meeting as some claim they are on verge of closure

Threat to vital health service will have negative and damaging impact to most vulnerable in society meeting hears. 

Over 100 local pharmacists from across Northern Ireland met in Belfast last night to express their real frustration and anger about the lack of progress by the Department of Health in addressing the funding crisis in community pharmacy.

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive, Community Pharmacy NI

The meeting was called in direct response to the fragile position the sector finds itself after five months of campaigning and engagement has failed to bring any certainty or clarity for the future.

The cost of providing community pharmacy services is currently under-funded “by at least £20 million” and around 90% of pharmacist respondents to a recent CPNI survey feeling the “current funding situation is having an impact on their own health and wellbeing”, the representative body Community Pharmacy NI has claimed.

Many local pharmacists who attended the meeting also claimed that the paralysis in decision making will result in pharmacies closing and will reduce people’s access to a vital health service, impacting the most vulnerable in society.

A direct appeal was made to Richard Pengelly, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health to alleviate the problems and follow through with the commitment to release funding to arrest the decline within community pharmacy.

Gerard Greene, Chief Executive, Community Pharmacy NI commented after the meeting:

“The level of anger being directed towards the Department of Health is at boiling point. The contractors that we represent are adamant that this stand-off cannot continue.”

“They are at breaking point as the realities of managing their businesses on a day to day basis, whilst serving patients and customers, is causing severe strain.” 

“The cost of providing the community pharmacy service is hugely underfunded due to a shortfall in what the Department of Health is willing to allocate, and the cost of keeping community pharmacies open.”

“Some contractors have told us that they are ready to go out of business. This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed.”

“We are calling for clear and fair remuneration and reimbursement so that investment can take place to meet safety, quality and efficacy requirements. At present that just does not exist.”

One leading Community Pharmacist, Paul Savage from Belfast added:

“Consistent underfunding means that myself and my community pharmacy colleagues everywhere cannot afford to keep normal stocks of medicines which shows how grave the situation is.”

“It is completely unacceptable and unjust that we have been forced to subsidise the provision of an essential healthcare service due to this lack of funding.”

“The year on year increase in workload of community pharmacists’ means that we have still to undertake a combination of core dispensing, over the counter medicine supply and advice, wider community pharmacy services and employ a skilled workforce at the same time as the level of funding from government has, in real terms decreased.”

New service 'Food Safe System' launched

Belfast based firm Food Safe System has launched an innovative new service which could help prevent outbreaks of lethal food poisoning and save businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

Neil Bradley, CEO, Food Safe System

The Food Safe System replaces old-fashioned paper-based food safety monitoring with smartphone technology and cloud computing to help prevent food poisoning and food related illnesses.

Food Safe System was founded by Neil Bradley, an award-winning chef and restauranteur for over 25 years, when he became frustrated with the old fashioned, paper-based system and the lack of an affordable, usable alternative for adhering to important food safety standards within his own restaurants.

Belfast City Council has estimated that food related illnesses affect 11,200 people in the city and costs the economy an estimated £19 million annually.

The dangers associated with food related illnesses means businesses in Northern Ireland are required to adhere to strict food safety regulations including, for example, keeping refrigerators and freezers at certain temperatures.

The process of adhering to these regulations through manual monitoring and clumsy paperwork can be ad hoc, inefficient and can cost companies thousands of pounds in work hours annually.

Human error can also mean companies fail to carry out monitoring properly, which can lead to food poisoning for customers, loss of stock for businesses and heavy fines.

Neil Bradley CEO of Food Safe System said:

“I’ve worked as a chef and I’ve seen how inefficient and even dangerous the old paper system can be. Every chef and owner in the business will tell you that adhering to food safety compliance is time consuming and stressful but absolutely critical to the success of any business.”

"The hospitality industry is booming in NI and we have some amazing restaurants and bars here. At Food Safe System we’re very lucky to already be working with some of the best in Belfast.

“Food Safe System can be adapted to the needs of each company and has been designed to make life easier for our customers so they can focus on doing what they do best by providing top quality service to their customers with complete peace of mind."

Executive Head Chef of the Beannchor Group, Patrick Leonard added:

“The Food Safe System is a fantastic innovation. It’s so important to adhere to food safety regulations to avoid any risk of food illness but everyone in the business knows how frustrating and inefficient the old-fashioned paper systems can be when it comes to monitoring.”

“The Food Safe System makes it so much easier to monitor food safety standards automatically and gives me warnings directly to my smartphone when something happens that I need to know about. This means I can focus on running my kitchen to the highest standard.”

Foyle Port Announces Strong Results As Organisation Prepares for Brexit

Foyle Port has announced a new record turnover of £9.1million, with an operating profit of £1.8 million for the 2017/2018 financial year.

Now in its sixth year of consecutive growth, Foyle Port reinvests all its profits to continually improve the business and upgrade facilities.

Foyle Port

Recent financial success has allowed the Port to undertake a period of significant capital investment in assets and infrastructure, including an expansion in the harbour estate by 23 acres and an increase in the capacity of the marine fleet located at the Port.

The average number of employees also increased by approximately 10% to 100 employees, representing payroll costs for the organisation of £3.6million per year.

Foyle Port Chair, Bonnie Anley, commented:

“Since the launch of our new strategy, our performance has outstripped targets and the Port business has continued to grow. This model has increased our resilience and put Foyle Port on a strong footing to meet any challenges that lie ahead.”

Foyle Port Chair: Bonnie Anley

“As we move closer towards Britain’s exit from the European Union we will need to navigate change and uncertainty, both locally and nationally.”

“Our strong business model, coupled with our dedicated port team, leave me in no doubt that Foyle Port has the flexibility needed to adapt to a new commercial context and the innovation needed to capitalise on all new opportunities arising in the future.”

Foyle Port Chief Executive, Brian McGrath commented:

“The outstanding corporate performance of the organisation, year on year, demonstrates the in-depth strength of our operational team.” 

Brian McGrath, Chief Executive, Foyle Port

“The Port’s location at Lisahally underpins our key position as an Atlantic gateway for the United Kingdom and Europe. Furthermore, the Port’s operations straddle both British and Irish jurisdictions.”

In relation to the potential forthcoming City Deal for the North West, Brian McGrath added:

“The Port Economic Zone naturally sits across the wider City Region. With multi deep-water terminal locations within the harbour, and an extensive port landbank with close proximity to industrial power, we are ready to play our part as an industrial platform in support of a City Deal for Derry / Londonderry.”

Lack of Assembly costing NI Hospitality sector millions and threatening its future

Hospitality Ulster says continued position of NI Assembly like being ‘trapped in a scene from Father Ted’

Hospitality Ulster has said the lack of a Government in Northern Ireland is costing the sector millions and damaging the potential for future growth - sighting the lack of progress to modernise Liquor Licensing as one of its major contributors to the losses.

A Liquor Licensing Bill was one of the few pieces of legislation the Assembly had introduced at that time, but the collapse of Stormont killed the Bill which set out to address the antiquated laws.

And there is now growing anger among the hospitality sector as Hospitality Ulster holds its latest AGM in Belfast today.

Tens of millions of pounds are being lost every year due to the fact that the draft legislation continues to gather dust, putting Northern Ireland at a competitive disadvantage.  The annual meeting also comes after the recent news that every four days a pub in Northern Ireland closes for good, whilst hotels and restaurants struggle to recruit staff and Brexit threatens to stop access to vital labour markets.

The leading industry body has now called for serious focus to be placed on developing the hospitality offer as a key driver for the local economy and a vital element of our tourism offer.

Modern licensing laws won’t result in more alcohol being drunk, it will mean our pubs, restaurants and hotels can offer our customers what they want and hopefully attract people away from home drinking into a controlled environment.

With Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol also remaining an untouched issue, harmful drinking continues to rise. The latest research shows that only 6% of the population consumes 44% of the alcohol, predominantly at home, with the negative consequences placing a huge strain on the health and social care system here. Attracting them into a pub would help to counter the negative impacts of home drinking.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive said:  

“Both the current and future potential of the hospitality sector is being damaged with outdated legislation, crippling business rates, and a lack of access to labour, due to the lack of a functioning government in Northern Ireland”

“It’s like Father Ted, where the intentions are good, but descends into never ending calamity. We have now found ourselves caught up in a farcical episode on repeat.”

“It’s the ‘Careful now, down with that of thing’ scene but for SEVEN YEARS!”

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

“That’s nearly a decade since the NI Assembly started the process of modernising our antiquated licensing laws - nothing has happened. These losses can now be counted in millions of pounds to the hospitality industry and the Northern Ireland economy.”

“Since our last AGM we never thought we would continue to be in this pathetic position. We need someone to take the reins and make decisions, whether that is our politicians or civil servants.”

“There is a clear need for Northern Ireland to modernise its liquor licensing legislation and introduce MUP to reflect the needs of the modern market place and tackle the misuse of alcohol. We simply cannot continue with no decisions being made and the political paralysis stopping our industry from growing and developing. We are regressing through inertia and having to live with the consequences of the fact that the Assembly and Executive isn’t in operation.”

“We can’t keep saying, go on, go on, go on… we need our elected representatives to get back, get stuck in and give the hospitality sector the tools it needs to do the job.”

Belfast leisure centres support UK National Fitness Day

Better leisure centres in Belfast are joining sport and leisure facilities across the UK in supporting National Fitness Day on Wednesday 26th September.

Now in its eighth year, National Fitness Day is a ukactive initiative, aimed at inspiring people around the UK to take part in exercise, whilst raising awareness of the importance of leading healthier and more active lifestyles.

Better leisure centres across Belfast are taking part, including Avoniel, Ballysillan, Grove, Ozone, Olympia, Whiterock, Girdwood and Better Gym Connswater, with a host of free activities for all the family, including:

-        Open Day with Try It classes at Avoniel;

-        Open Day at Ballysillan;

-        Survive and Save Taster, including morning Group Cycle Taster and Tom Daly Diving Academy Taster at Grove;

-        Open Day at Ozone;

-        Open Day, including morning Group Exercise and evening Abs Blast at Olympia;

-        Open Day with Group Exercise Taster at Whiterock;

-        Group Exercise studio Open Day with instructor led classes in the morning and virtual class programme in the afternoon at Better Gym Connswater;

-        100,000 Moves Challenge across Better Gym leisure centres, with each person’s moves added to the real-time daily total through the mywellness app.

Conor McCallion, Regional Product Manager at GLL said:

“We are delighted to once again support ukactive’s National Fitness Day.

“Better Leisure Centres exist to provide affordable, accessible leisure facilities, to get more people more active more often. By supporting National Fitness Day, we are able to work alongside ukactive, aligning similar views to encourage people in communities across the country, to take part in physical activity.

“We have a range of exciting events taking place on the day, including Try It Classes and taster sessions, to suit people of all ages and abilities and we encourage everyone to head down to their local Better leisure centre and take part.

“Across our Belfast leisure centres, and using our Technogym mywellness technology, we will try and hit a set target of 100,000 moves as a gym total on the day. This will showcase our technology and help to build on our already great community spirit in Better Gym Belfast and I would encourage everyone, members and non-members alike, to get involved.”

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chair of National Fitness Day organiser ukactive said:

“National Fitness Day is a powerful tool to raise the profile of physical activity and the role it plays in increasing the health of our nation. By getting people across the country involved we can help provide the initial steps towards continued involvement in physical activity.”

To find your nearest Better leisure centre, visit https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/belfast

Trade Credit Brokers rebrands to Willis Towers Watson Trade Credit and Surety to become Ireland's largest Trade Credit Insurance specialist

Trade Credit Brokers has rebranded to Willis Towers Watson Trade Credit and Surety Ltd, becoming the largest and best resourced Trade Credit Insurance and Surety specialist in Ireland.

Based in Belfast City Centre, and with an office in Dublin, Willis Towers Watson represents some of the most well-known brands and companies across a range of trade sectors and brokers over two-thirds of the Credit Insurance business across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland alone, its Trade Credit clients insure over £1.5billion worth of sales per year.

Trade Credit Insurance has come into sharp focus recently with several iconic companies, such as the high-profile collapse of Carillion and House of Fraser making the news headlines leaving their supply chains exposed to hundreds of millions of pounds of unsecured debt.

Having Trade Credit Insurance provides vital protection for businesses against the impact of bad debt which can be caused by a failure of customers to pay for goods or services sold on credit. The impact of bad debt can be devastating for some companies, but Trade Credit Insurance can help to manage risk and elevate anxiety.

As Brexit draws ever-closer, the growing threat of a no-deal outcome means that trade credit risks may be exacerbate, bringing an added layer of uncertainty to the already unsteady economic climate in Northern Ireland and businesses who are not protected with Trade Credit Insurance may face previously unforeseen dangers and challenges.

It is now more important than ever that businesses protect themselves and positively manage their credit risk with Trade Credit Insurance.

Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit and Political Risk Northern Ireland at Willis Towers Watson, said:

“The rebrand of Trade Credit Brokers to Willis Towers Watson Trade Credit and Surety Ltd represents the evolution of Trade Credit Brokers to become the largest and best resourced Trade Credit Insurance broker on the Island of Ireland.”

“At a time when the future of business appears to be unpredictable, Willis Towers Watson can help businesses to proactively manage this unpredictability. Trade Credit Insurance is about mitigating risks and provides reassurance and financial protection during difficult trading conditions. You only have to look at recent news headlines to see the number of businesses which have been saved due to having Trade Credit Insurance in place when a business further up the supply chain fails. No-one is immune no matter how safe they may seem.”

“The added uncertainty and upheaval of Brexit, means that businesses are now in a position where they do not know what maybe thrust upon them. It is a time for businesses to be as protected and prepared as possible.”

“Trade Credit Insurance provides vital protection against the impact of bad debt caused by the failure of customers to pay for goods or services sold on credit and having Trade Credit Insurance can help businesses to proactively manage their credit risk. Having Trade Credit Insurance in place can help businesses de-risk and Willis Towers Watson can provide solutions and recommend an option for businesses who wish to proactively protect themselves and grow their business safely whether they are trading at home or abroad”

Eversheds Sutherland announces new Partner in Belfast - Matthew Howse

Eversheds Sutherland has announced Matthew Howse has joined their Belfast office as partner.

Matthew will join the litigation department of the international firm, bringing 13 years of legal experience with him from Birmingham and Belfast. Throughout his career he has specialised in litigation and dispute resolution.

Photo: (From Left to Right) Matthew Howse (Partner, Eversheds Sutherland) and Alan Murphy (Managing Partner, Eversheds Sutherland).

The announcement comes at a time of growth for the Belfast operation, who recently released plans to double its headcount in the next year and a half, with a focus on litigation, real estate, employment and banking.

The firm is also set to grow its Dublin office which currently employs 275 people.

Eversheds Sutherland managing partner, Alan Murphy said:

“We are thrilled that Matthew has joined us, bolstering the firm even further as we move into a period of expansion in Belfast and Dublin. We are ambitious for the future and need the right people to help us do that. Matthew is an impressive individual and will be a strong addition as a partner.”

Matthew Howse added:

“This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the development of the Eversheds Sutherland presence not only in Belfast, but in Dublin and throughout its international offices. Eversheds Sutherland has an outstanding reputation for offering professional advice and its client servicing. This coupled with the plans for growth made it the right time to join.”