Hospitality announcement falls well short of a timetable for reopening

Press Releases 2 Jul 2020

Welsh Government announcement on reopening hospitality outdoors falls short of providing certainty to the rest of the sector

Commenting on the announcement on reopening hospitality outdoors, Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said:

“That cafes, pubs and restaurants with existing outdoor seating areas can reopen from 13th July will be positive news for those businesses who can benefit. That this announcement comes at the same time as flexible furlough becomes possible will give some firms opportunities to reopen in the coming weeks. 

“However, this has fallen well short of the timetable that FSB has been calling for hospitality and tourism, which the First Minister must address. A number of business owners are facing very difficult decisions about the future of their businesses and those they employ. Many of these businesses operate in communities such as rural areas where there is less diversity of economic activity and where the loss of hospitality and tourism will be most profoundly felt. 

“We’d also like to see more urgent and purposeful movement from Welsh Government and Wales’ local authorities on opening up public spaces, so that those businesses that can reopen can temporarily take advantage of the outdoor spaces around them in order to maximise their ability to open both safely and successfully.

“As we edge further into the summer, the situation for many businesses becomes more and more acute. We have written to the First Minister today to reiterate the very pressing need to inform businesses of an indicative plan to get them open in time to take advantage of some of the summer. If this is not possible, there should be a further conversation about financial support for those firms, who, we must remember, will be liable to contribute towards furlough costs from August.

“Many firms are currently in limbo without any idea when they could look to reopen, and Welsh Government must take action now to give these firms some confidence for the coming months.”