Welcome to this week’s News Bites, where we consider Freedom Day, the continuing fallout from Covid, plus the value of hospitality venues to the nation’s mental wellbeing.
Freedom Day gets mixed response
Freedom Day’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions boosted hospitality businesses and was marked with widespread coverage of young people enjoying themselves. But there was shock news that nightclub entry will require vaccine passports in September. It’s a changing picture as rising cases give cause for concern, but it seems that vaccine passports have not been ruled out for pubs in future either. It’s a case of watch this space.
Call for more Government support for hospitality
There is a sobering warning that a fifth of hospitality businesses will close if the Government pulls support next year. A combination of factors such as staff shortages, supply chain difficulties and price rises for food and drink could all take their toll.
Pub and restaurant closures lead to ‘fall in mental wellbeing’
The hospitality sector’s value to the nation’s social and mental wellbeing was illustrated in a survey following the long-term closure of pubs and restaurants during lockdown. Young people were said to be the worst affected by the loss of social hubs, with loneliness an issue. We certainly appreciate our pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes.
Quarter of all furloughed employees were in hospitality
Some 25% of all workers on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme amid the coronavirus pandemic were from the hospitality sector, a study has revealed.