Could staffing vacancies scupper 'Freedom Day' as venues struggle to open?
Just weeks before so-called 'Freedom Day' on July 19 we're asking if sectors - such as hospitality - are ready, because of ongoing staff shortages.
Last updated 5th Jul 2021
Greatest Hits Radio has obtained evidence of employers being effectively 'gazumped' with rival firms making higher last minute offers - even after new workers have signed contracts.
UK Hospitality estimates the sector has a nine per cent vacancy rate, or a shortage of 188,000 workers. Around eight in 10 hospitality operators are reporting vacancies - with front of house and cooking staff roles hardest to fill.
The Lobster Pot Bistro in Hope Cove, on Devon's picturesque South Hams coast, is currently remaining closed two days a week because of a lack of staff.
Bosses took the decision, after being repeatedly let down by new recruits, and to protect those existing staff working 100-hour weeks.
Lobster Pot Bistro head chef James Theobald said: "We've had people that want to come out and eat and enjoy themselves and it's great to have people back and we wanted to do it.
"We've had to shut two days a week because we cannot find the staff to do it, so then we've had to let hundreds and hundreds of people down for wedding anniversaries and things."
"I've had people come down, they've come over to stay, I've cooked for them, spent hours showing them around. Then they've had an offer in the night and then come up and told me I'm going somewhere else to work.
"Part of me, I keep watching the news, thinking hopefully we're going to open up so then actually some of the tourism will go abroad. We don't have the capacity and the staff at the moment currently to deal with it down here."
Owner William Ireland added: "The problem is also the ethics of the people which are signing contracts, offer letters and when they've signed the offer letter not even telling you - just don't turn up.
"You've wasted four, six weeks and then you're back to square one after six weeks."