Hospitality Ulster welcomes Executive’s ‘Pathway out of Restrictions’ document, however says it is “disappointing to see that parts of hospitality have been earmarked to reopen after non-essential retail and with no mention of an additional support package”.
Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill has said he is “really frustrated that this pathway shows no dates whatsoever and once again singles out our traditional (wet) pubs for extended closure”.
Reacting to ‘Moving Forward: The Executive’s Pathway Out Of Restrictions’ document published this afternoon by the NI Executive, Colin Neill Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said: “We welcome the activity undertaken by the Executive so far in bringing forward this roadmap. However, it has been some time in coming and disappointing to see that parts of hospitality have been earmarked to reopen after non-essential retail and with no mention of an additional support package. There is a genuine fear amongst many in our sector that businesses are going to fail and jobs will be lost at the eleventh hour.
“We are really frustrated that this pathway shows no dates whatsoever and once again singles out our traditional (wet) pubs for extended closure. How are our pubs supposed to survive, and the industry plan for the re-emergence of the entire sector?
“The Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest data shows that two-thirds of businesses will be out of cash before the end of May. The Executive must now bring forward an additional package of financial support to keep these businesses alive until all hospitality businesses are allowed to reopen and trade at a financially sustainable level.
“The Executive has made the decision to keep hospitality closed for longer than any other sector, without any engagement with the industry, despite our repeated calls to connect with us and start the planning process.
“The Executive must now engage and allow the industry to prepare so that it is in the right shape and has any specification requirements in place so that the reopening phase can be as smooth as possible. We understand that there will need to be a gradual easing of restrictions and that this blueprint will be led by data. The progression to reopen and any restrictions should be wholly evidence based.
“The hospitality sector has been effectively closed for the last year. There now needs to be recognition of the role that it has played and give those who have scrapped through a fighting chance. We acknowledge that the R rate must stay low for a sustained period of time, and we can reassure the Executive that the industry has created safe and sanitised environments in which people can go out and enjoy themselves again; enjoy a meal; and enjoy time with their family and friends.”
