Michael Gove spooks hospitality sending shock waves through the industry. Gove’s comments during an interview with Andrew Marr suggested that hospitality businesses will be the last to be unlocked from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hospitality was among the first to be shut down and it now seems will be among the last to exit.
Restaurants, pubs and cafes all followed Government guidelines to close on 20th March and as such cut off all cash flow into their businesses.
Michael Gove spooks hospitality with ‘Off the Cuff’ communications
To be informed of the timelines the Government is looking at as an off the cuff statement by Gove is inappropriate. It adds insult to the injury of miniscule payments from Gove’s colleague Rishi Sunak.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism was launched last week to support the recovery of businesses hit by Covid-19. This body would have been the right one for any timing statement to be discussed and announced.
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, Steve Double MP would also have been the most appropriate person to make any announcement.
Working cross party and with the experience of Kate Nicholls alongside him, a considered message would have been welcomed.
Hospitality Leadership
Kate Nicholls has more than adequately shown her leadership qualities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to date. We would suggest Michael Gove follows his colleague Steve Double’s example and listens to her.
Hospitality is a diverse industry and as such a depth of knowledge and experience across all its sectors is of paramount importance.
The Government must surely understand the importance of an industry that employs 3.3 million people in the UK.
Looking after hospitality, not just in communications but in actions is what will be needed to ensure the maximum number of people employed in hospitality stays that way.
Rishi Sunak also needs to focus on the numbers here, as if more financial help isn’t forthcoming, he will be looking at paying even more out in unemployment benefits.
Now is a time that requires clear concise communications.