New hospitality strategy announced to help sector build back

A new strategy to ensure England’s pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues can thrive long-term and adapt to consumer demands has been launched by Business Minister Paul Scully on Friday. 

To support the industry in its reopening, the strategy sets out measures including highlighting opportunities in the hospitality industry to jobseekers through DWP's dedicated work coaches and helping the sector address current recruitment challenges. 

Under the strategy, the government-owned British Business Bank will help support access to finance for hospitality firms so they can invest in their businesses. It will also be easier for pubs, restaurants and cafes on the high street to offer al fresco dining and serve more customers outside, with pavement licenses being extended and made permanent.

Takeaway pints will also continue for another 12 months as the temporary permissions for off-sales of alcohol are extended in England and Wales, boosting sales.

Moreover, the government is setting out ways to help the sector improve its resilience, including by making hospitality a career option of choice, boosting creativity, and developing a greener sector. Measures include:

• exploring options for vocational skills and training that support careers in the sector, including apprenticeships, bootcamps and other qualifications like a T-Level, and working with the sector to raise the profile of careers in hospitality;
• supporting innovation and productivity by using the government’s Help to Grow programmes to strengthen the sector’s digital and management skills, and bringing hospitality businesses together with universities and other innovators to support the next generation of hospitality start-ups; and
• helping the sector reduce emissions, including by cutting waste and single-use plastic consumption.

The new package comes as the £150 million Community Ownership Fund launches, giving people across the UK the chance to run local pubs at risk of closure as community-owned businesses. Communities in all four nations will be able to bid for up to £250,000 matched funding.

"The pandemic has meant we’ve had to stay apart, and this has had a big impact on the hospitality industry, which exists to bring people together. We’ve been working with hospitality businesses throughout the pandemic to understand what support they need to not only reopen, but change and improve how they do things to meet changing consumer demands and protect jobs and livelihoods," Business Minister Paul Scully said.

"We want young people to see the hospitality sector as a go-to option for long-term careers, and that’s why we will explore new options for vocational training and help further boost the creativity and environmental friendliness of the sector through the first-ever government strategy for the hospitality industry."

The delivery of this new strategy will be overseen by a Hospitality Sector Council made up of industry leaders and government, which is currently being created. 

The council will be co-chaired by Mr Scully and hospitality entrepreneur Karen Jones, and further members will be announced in due course.