Iain Hoskins, who owns Ma Boyle’s and Tempest on Tithebarn pubs in Liverpool, says “It’s been devastating” and that trade has plummeted during the busiest time of year for the hospitality industry. And Paul Askew of the Art School Liverpool says, “Significant losses have already been made”
Independent companies have stated that the latest support package announced by the Treasury Department will not be enough to survive a difficult Christmas season as customer footfall in cafes and stores is lower as consumers try to avoid the new Omicron variant.
The Treasury Department has announced a support package of £ 6,000 per location one-time grants to hospitality and leisure businesses, with £ 100 million of unrestricted funds available to local authorities to support other businesses.
However, independent retailers have said that funding may not help them in the face of a future lockdown.
Iain Hoskins, Ma Pub Group with Ma Boyle’s Eatery & Alehouse and Tempest on Tithebarn, Liverpool:
“Well, at least it’s a start – our industry has been asking this question for weeks. So it seems like no vacation for the time being, the plan is to leave us open, but the reality remains that during the busiest time of year for the hospitality industry, trade has plummeted. It’s devastating.
“The point is, it costs me more to stay open than it does when we are closed, and while I don’t think anyone expects the government to reimburse all lost Christmas sales, the £ 6,000 grant is a drop in.” the bucket list time of year. That is not ungrateful – that is the truth.
“But it is a start if follow-up packages are to come after Christmas. But there is just nowhere going to be to address our employee problem as most rosters are cut off to keep our overheads down as a means of survival. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help our employees, who work like everyone else who wants the hours and the money, especially at this time of year. “
Paul Askew founder and chef of the Art School restaurant in Liverpool and also the new company Barnacle on Duke Street says:
“I am pleased to see that Mr. Sunak responds to our requests for hospitality assistance
We are aware that the cancellation income cannot be reimbursed in full, but significant losses have already been made through our membership in the LHA.
Because many of us are in a position, after taking out CBIL loans and not paying for insurance coverage, we thought we had them, plus historical rental debt for many that still remain, that more funding may be needed
We obviously still need clarity about the possible closure as consumer confidence is still at a low point. “
Paul Askew’s Barnacle on Duke Street
Rachel Hutchinson, owner of The Rock Fairy Limited, a rock-and-roll-themed zero waste store and sustainable coffee shop based in Afflecks, Manchester, said her company had been excluded from government support during previous bans and that “We have started to get new variants, the trade has really steadily collapsed since September”.
“This month has been crazy, it should be the busiest time of the year. Today we opened at 10:30 am and took 6 pounds, ”she said.
She added that shoppers need to feel safe and many repeat customers avoid the store in order to keep up family festive plans, but their trades are down 60%.
“The six giants don’t cover what we’ve lost, so it certainly won’t cover what we risk losing if they lock us up,” she said.
Ms. Hutchinson added that it would “almost” help the company through Christmas.
James Calder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) said: “The context of this is that hospitality, pubs, have always been the focus of any government support – breweries have, by and large, had to rely on discretion.” [local government] Support and that hasn’t really changed today, so the Chancellor’s announcements were welcomed today, but really don’t touch the sides for breweries. “
He said some Siba members may see their cash flow depleted if they had access to funding, and many contacted him to say they only had a few days of cash flow left.
“A lot of pubs would expect six thousand pounds on a good Christmas Day, it doesn’t really cover the losses we’re going to make and the cash flow we’re going to need through January and beyond.”