Leisure sector calls on government to create dedicated hospitality minister
The UK’s hospitality sector has called for the government to create a dedicated hospitality minister.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of Britain’s Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), made the proposal at the trade body’s autumn conference today.
The idea was backed by bosses of some of the UK’s largest food, drink and recreation companies.
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Robin Rowland, CEO of YO! Sushi told City A.M. that the change “would be enormously helpful”.
“It would reflect that we employ so many people,” he said. “We’ve created one in six jobs since the recession and we’re the first workplace for a lot of people, forming their attitudes towards working.”
Rowland added that in his 35-year career in posts at Diageo, Whitbread, and now as boss of YO! Sushi and a board member of Caffe Nero, he has never seen cost pressures on the scale the industry faces today.
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“A lot of businesses can’t pass any cost onto the customers because people are strapped for cash. The industry’s being heavily taxed, slightly unfairly frankly.”
His comments were echoed by Peter Marks, chief executive of The Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium late night bars and clubs.
“It is time for the government to take the UK hospitality sector seriously and give it the attention it deserves, and as such we support the ALMR’s view,” he said.
“The hospitality industry is a key employer, providing careers for 400,000 people, and contributes more than £66bn to the UK economy. It is also integral to the health of our high streets, utilising much of the space on our high streets left empty as retail goes out of town and online.”
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Kate Nicholls of the ALMR said: “These businesses are looking ahead with a sense of trepidation as we approach Brexit and costs continue to rise. The Government must show leadership and support for these vital employers by creating a new role of Hospitality Minister to ensure transparent and useful engagement with businesses and promotion of the sectors’ interests.”
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