Business

'End restrictions or businesses will fall' says hospitality chief

Hospitality Ulster has reiterated its call for restrictions to be eased by the Stormont Executive
Hospitality Ulster has reiterated its call for restrictions to be eased by the Stormont Executive Hospitality Ulster has reiterated its call for restrictions to be eased by the Stormont Executive

WHAT its members claimed was 'our worst week in living memory' has got even worse for the north's beleaguered hospitality sector as trading continues in free-fall.

Trade body Hospitality Ulster has been surveying its membership on a weekly basis since November, with the findings analysed by leading economist Maureen O'Reilly.

Upwards of 1,000 industry members - ranging from the smallest rural pub to high-end hoteliers - are currently making their feelings known every week.

And it seems the grim picture is getting progressively worse, with the latest member survey taken during the week commencing January 3, when fresh restrictions came into place, showing:

  • 98 per cent experienced a dip in beverage sales when compared to the same period in 2019;
  • One in two have seen sales capitulate by more than 50 per cent, rising to 70 per cent for accommodation providers;
  • Around two and a half times as many members are reporting a drop in beverage and food sales of more than 50 per cent in the survey week compared to the week beginning November 15, when the Covid passport was introduced;
  • 25 per cent of respondents said food and beverage sales were down by 70 per cent (it was 49 per cent for hotels).

Hospitality Ulster is urging the Executive to "lift these punitive restrictions", which it says are having a cataclysmic impact on outlets and business owners, and for the reopening of nightclubs.

Chief executive Colin Neill said: “These findings paint a dire picture of where our industry currently is after almost two years of restrictions and closures.

“It's no exaggeration to say our sector has never been in a worse position, with over 96 per cent of trade down from 2019 in food, drink and accommodation sales.

“The financial burden of the restrictions are also becoming apparent as a growing concern, with the cost of unused stock due to poor footfall and restrictions, looming tax bills and the cost of extra staff to monitor Covid passports and provide table service all placing a serious strain on businesses' viability.

“Almost a month on, and without financial assistance, severe damage has already been done to hospitality, so the Executive must now take swift action to remove these punishing restrictions.”

Meanwhile it was announced yesterday that Scotland's Covid-19 restrictions are to be eased, with nightclubs reopening, large indoor events resuming and social distancing rules dropped.

The changes will take effect from Monday January 24 after a "significant fall" in new case numbers.