Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster has reacted to the financial package announced by the NI Executive on November 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cPub aid is welcome, but the overall package won\u2019t stop job losses in hospitality\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome the additional support of \u00a310.6 million to wet-only pubs that have been virtually closed since March without support. We have made a strong case for this support and now await the detail of exactly what businesses will be eligible for this, but hope that it will be delivered promptly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, today\u2019s financial package, whilst significant in value, does not address the unique situation faced by the hospitality sector, that even when open, is so heavily restricted it is not financially sustainable. During this second lockdown of hospitality, which will be six weeks on the 11th<\/sup>\u00a0December, businesses are paying \u00a330 per head, per week, to keep staff on furlough. Also, the current grant levels don\u2019t cover these payments, never mind the fixed costs being incurred which run into thousands of pounds for every business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe NI Executive must realise that all our hotels, restaurants and pubs have been operating under severe restrictions since March and have been in lockdown for a much longer period than any other sector and have not had a chance to secure any income to help them through closure. If the Executive cannot, or will not, provide adequate financial support for the businesses that they close, then they must open up hospitality in a sustainable manner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe voucher scheme will be helpful in the Spring, and whilst welcome, will do nothing to help hospitality businesses survive the next few months. With an indicative date of 11th<\/sup>\u00a0December for reopening and the potential of further lockdowns after Christmas, the level of financial support for pubs, restaurants and hotels must be increased now before it is too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven if hospitality is reopened on the 11th<\/sup>\u00a0December, it is clear that many businesses will still not be able to open sustainably due to the Covid restrictions on closing time and table sizes. If these businesses are to survive into the Spring and beyond, flexibility must be allowed so that businesses can be open and trading, or closed and availing of the continued financial support, however meagre it may be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMany have said that things could get better after Easter and it is encouraging that the Finance Minister is considering extending this rate relief further, but it is of little help for those who won\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere has been a lot of talk around saving Christmas, but today\u2019s package was no Christmas present for the hospitality industry.\u201d<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster has reacted to the financial package announced by the NI Executive on November 23. \u201cPub aid is welcome,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":15623,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSevere restrictions<\/h3>\n
Rate relief<\/h3>\n