Salisbury BID call for urgent financial support for hospitality sector
"Our hard-working hospitality sector could be left devastated”
Last updated 21st Dec 2021
The Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) are backing calls for the government to provide urgent financial support for hospitality businesses.
The whole UK hospitality sector is bracing itself for a £4bn hit in festive sales with the new ‘work from home’ guidance and fears over the spread of the Omicron variant growing.
Many businesses like pubs and restaurants have seen a flurry of last minute cancellations, due to the new Covid guidance.
Robin McGowan, Chief Executive of Salisbury BID, said:
“Christmas is an extremely vital time for our hospitality businesses and the loss of income affects jobs, venues and the local economy as a whole. The Government must meet businesses halfway and introduce a financial package that will give them the support needed to get them through the next few months. Without it, our hard-working hospitality sector could be left devastated.”
One Salisbury business already affected is the Old Ale and Coffee House, who have seen many bookings cancel.
Owner Shane O'Neill said:
“We have already seen a big impact from new guidance issued by the Government. About 40% of our bookings have been cancelled and consumer confidence has been hit. It is time the Government acknowledged the diminishing figures and got behind us by offering much needed financial support.
“Over the last 18 months all hospitality businesses have invested great time and money on making sure premises are Covid secure and safe, including ourselves. We would urge people to come out and support us still. We are open!”
Christmas is usually the busiest time of year for many, including The George pub in Fordingbridge.
Last Thursday (16th December) they posted a video which highlights their problems, showing a completely empty pub:
RESTART GRANTS FROM WILTSHIRE COUNCIL
While calls grow for the Government to do their bit, Wiltshire Council are already planning to help those affected.
They will giving out grant funding to support businesses in January.
The grants will be paid automatically to any Wiltshire hospitality and leisure businesses that have previously benefitted from a Restart or Discretionary Restart Grant, subject to eligibility checks.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said:
“We know how hard it is for restaurants, hotels, pubs and other hospitality and leisure businesses at the moment, and that’s why we are doing all we can to support them.
“Officers are now working hard to process these grants, and we’ll update businesses with more information in the new year – including how new hospitality and leisure businesses can apply. In the meantime, we’d ask businesses not to contact us about the grants at this time, as this will delay payments.
“These grants are being funded through the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) funding. We have been financially prudent with this funding and we held some back specifically for an issue such as this – and that’s why we’re in a position to support Wiltshire hospitality businesses with these grants at this time.
“We’ll continue to do all we can to support Wiltshire businesses through this difficult time."