Is The Hospitality Sector Being Ignored?

Hospitality Ulster have launched stinging criticisms that the hospitality sector is being ignored, as the industry tries to get back on its feet after a terrible year which has led to a swathe of businesses being liquidated and the loss of many, many jobs.

Northern Ireland Executive Not Moving Swiftly Enough

They believe that the Northern Ireland Executive is not moving swiftly enough to help out hospitality. They see that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London have published a 22 point plan to aid the sector in its recovery from the effects of the pandemic, but they don`t see the same commitment here in Northern Ireland to help these businesses which are such a vital part of our economy.

Slow Progress In Lifting Restrictions

Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster Colin Neill is quoted in an article on the Business Live website, saying:

“The slow progress in the lifting of restrictions have created a situation that allows the majority of the sector to be open, or given the choice to open, but does not allow for normal trading and therefore damaging the long term sustainability of many businesses who are struggling to break even,” he said.

“Whilst our counterparts in GB are thinking about the overall transition from recovery to resilience, we here are left looking to our devolved government for direction and support.

Considered Recovery Plan Proposal

“Some months ago Hospitality Ulster brought forward a considered recovery plan, developed alongside hospitality industry leaders which detailed a range of key immediate and longer term interventions required by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Westminster Government in anticipation of emerging from the worst moments of the pandemic.

“The work has all been done, we mapped out the policy priorities and the economic levers that need to be pulled.

“We call on the Government to incorporate our plan into a much needed Executive backed future hospitality strategy for Northern Ireland.

“We need a proper, dedicated, government strategy for Northern Ireland, otherwise we will continue with a piecemeal approach.”

It is very easy for businesses in the hospitality industry to fold through a variety of reasons, but much more difficult to re-open them, so it is imperative that help is given to them which will allow them to survive these difficult trading conditions and to prosper in the near future. A thriving hospitality sector is good for the businesses involved, the high street and all of us as consumers.