The rumoured reopening of hospitality venues for outdoor use only in April with indoor areas allowed from May has been slammed by the trade, alongside calls for the Government to be honest and open in its approach for a roadmap out of lockdown three.
Over the weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February), various national publications reported the Government was considering plans to allow pubs to serve in external areas from Easter before permitting inside service a month later.
Many of those in the trade took to social media to voice their frustration about the impact this will have on the industry alongside claims the Government was leaking this information to test public opinion.
GDP figures published by the Office for National Statistics reiterate the economic importance of the UK’s hospitality sector, and the urgent need for it to be supported by Government as it reopens.
That’s according to trade body UKHospitality, which described the data as ‘bleak reading’ that highlights the ‘importance of hospitality as an economic force’.
“When hospitality struggles, the entire UK economy struggles,” says chief executive Kate Nicholls. “The huge losses we have suffered this year account for one-third of the slump for the whole economy last year. This really hammers home the importance of, and need for, a healthy hospitality sector for the entire country.”
The trade has reacted to rumours that the Government is considering scrapping 10pm curfew and substantial meal measures as well as barring reopened pubs from selling alcohol.