Call for clear roadmap to help ailing businesses

Northern Ireland ministers have been urged to deliver a clear roadmap out of restrictions along with and financial support for the hospitality sector.

Speaking ahead of  Thursday’s Executive meeting, Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill insisted ministers must help the struggling industry and prepare a series of measures against a defined timetable to allow for accelerated recovery.

He added: “The punitive restrictions placed on the hospitality sector simply needs to come to an end as soon as possible. We have run out of time and feel left hanging with no dates and no support. Hospitality businesses are crying out for a plan of action to allow them to trade properly and build back to pre-pandemic peaks.

“For weeks upon weeks we have been waiting for positive movement from the Executive after the cycles of lockdowns and never ending restrictions.

‘Critical period’

“These remaining restrictions are curtailing trading opportunities with businesses becoming more and more dismayed as we look to the critical Christmas period. Planning and preparation is being pushed to the wayside as business recovery slows. We can’t have this for a second winter in a row, the Executive needs to acknowledge that.”

The representative body also warned of a triple blow from holidaymakers seeking sunnier climates, ongoing labour shortages and prices hikes across the sector supply chain, with increased costs having to passed on to customers.

Colin Neill, above, added: “As stated numerous times before, hospitality stands as a real beacon for our economy. It can be central to economic recovery. Pre-pandemic we were contributing £2bn per year to the economy and sustaining over 72,000 jobs. We can get back to this high.

“This is the perfect opportunity for the Executive to show they know the value of our hospitality industry and put a constructive plan in place with the right policies and measures for hospitality to further grow and provide the exceptional offer from before.

“The Executive must be forthright this winter and provide the hospitality sector with the tools and the freedom to move on from the past 18 months.

“Businesses have shown they are more than capable at keeping staff and customers safe, with thousands spent on ensuring premises are Covid secure. Now it is time for a roadmap to be signed off and implemented so we can all get on with recovery and bringing our sector back to its best.”

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