Road to recovery is set but challenges will take some time to overcome

04 August 2020

Road to recovery is set but challenges will take some time to overcome

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

By Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

Road to recovery is set but challenges will take some time to overcome

Over the past four months we have come through some horrendously difficult times. The Coronavirus lockdown created an emergency not seen in recent history.

This has been a long and difficult road for the hospitality sector. Businesses have struggled their way through a period of enforced closure returning under social distancing guidelines and industry guidance, with others not as fortunate with closures and redundancies. 

We are still not out of the woods. Not by a long shot. Reopening is being taken very seriously and the adherence to extensive safety and hygiene measures has meant that we are slowly but surely getting back to business. Breakeven, never mind profitability for many is some way off yet under current circumstances.

Despite the devastating impact that Covid has had, we are now seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. In several weeks time we are hopeful that traditional pubs, known as ‘wet pubs’ will open under specific guidelines, bringing much of the hospitality sector back, although at reduced capacity.

Recently, we acknowledged progress on the Liquor Licensing Bill which was signed off by the NI Executive via the Minister for Communities. We warmly welcomed the progress, which, when approved by the Assembly, will bring about the biggest changes to the hospitality sector in a generation. We have been calling for these proposed changes which include, removing restrictions on Easter opening hours and additional permitted opening hours, for some time.

Prior to Coronavirus, despite being a £1.2billion a year industry and the backbone of the tourism offer, the growth potential of the hospitality sector was being curtailed by outdated legislation. As we look to rebuild the hospitality sector here after lockdown, it is imperative that businesses have all the tools necessary to thrive. Despite the undoubted challenges ahead, this updated legislation would be a welcome boost for hospitality businesses right across Northern Ireland.

Only last week, the Minister for Health made a significant and progressive step forward in announcing his intention to consult on the Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol. This is a measure that Hospitality Ulster has lobbied on for some time and it is great to see that the Minister and the Department will make the necessary moves within the next year. Minimum Unit Pricing is about supporting the responsible consumption of alcohol and we are fully behind that. We expect that the days of alcohol being sold at pocket money prices will come to an end.

As government initiatives such as the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ campaign kicks in we encourage everyone to take advantage and go out and enjoy themselves in a responsible way. We must acknowledge the resilience of those in the hospitality sector who have got us to this point. It’s been tough, but as we reopen safely, we must ensure that the power of closure is placed upon those who flout the rules, so we are not forced back to the place we were in several months ago. We all have a responsibility to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The recent announcements by the various Ministers around the NI Executive table bringing forward legislation, consultations, and policy initiatives after lobbying from Hospitality Ulster allows us to be hopeful for the future of the hospitality sector and its importance to the economy is recognised.