washers to waiters and barmen. that is a real problem for the industry meaning they cannot accept all of the bookings they want to. that is certainly true for simon s hotel in yorkshire. he has lots of big bookings but he is having to turn some away because he does not have the staff. ~ , ., ., ., , the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and it the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and it has the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and it has been the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and it has been a the staff. whilst we have had a busy summer and it has been a great - summer and it has been a great season and demand has been very good, we are basically still playing catch up. we desperately need a good christmas. partly to catch up and partly to put a bit in the bank to get us through the first quarter safely. christmas demand is looking good, the christmas numbers and bookings are up on previous years,