Hospitality & Re-opening: the latest government proposals

What is the latest guidance for businesses in the hospitality industry?

From the 4th of July, businesses in the hospitality industry such as pubs, restaurants, and hotels have been allowed to enter the re-opening phase. The basic criteria for food-service businesses, as well as hairdressers, includes:

• Use table service rather than ordering at a bar
• Assign a single staff member per table
• Encourage contactless ordering and payment
• Collect visitor information for Track and Trace 
• Use electronic communication between staff members
• Provide clear social distancing guidance
• Provide handwashing facilities and/or hand sanitizer

In addition, there are separate guidelines for hotels, accommodation, and other attractions:

• Perform deep cleaning regimes between guests 
• Meal services must be pre-booked and timed
• Have timed tickets because this will reduce the number of customers at once
• Introduce one way systems, clear floor markings, and queue management systems. 
• Encourage cashless payment

Make sure to check the government advice on food-service re-opening and hospitality re-opening if you are unclear on any of the guidelines provided for the hospitality sector, or are unable to adhere to them.

What are the latest government proposals for re-opening the hospitality industry?

On the 8th of July, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a VAT cut from 20% to just 5% across the whole hospitality industry because of the large impact created by Covid-19. 

Starting on the 15th of July, this change will remain in place until the 12th of January 2021. Sunak’s proposal aims to benefit 150,000 businesses and consumers and help protect over 2.4 million jobs, in order to support the hospitality industry throughout the re-opening stage.

In addition to this, Sunak has announced a new “eat out to help out” scheme which offers diners a 50% discount off their total bill throughout the whole of August. The government is encouraging customers to take advantage of this scheme and help out the hospitality industry:

“I know people are cautious about going out. But we wouldn’t have lifted the restrictions if we didn’t think we could do so safely.”

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer , 2020.

Because getting customers back into restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. is so essential to restabilizing the economy, this is an unlimited offer throughout the entire month of August. All participating businesses will be able to claim the money back from provided discounts within five working days. So, don’t miss out on this great opportunity: register your business here to take part in this scheme and get more eager customers through your door!

What about other types of businesses?

To aid both businesses and job-seekers, the government has also promised to provide 30,000 new traineeships. From September 2020, businesses will be given a £1000 cash bonus for each new traineeship, internship, or work experience placement they offer. This pledge has arisen due to the increasing fear of rising unemployment after the pandemic and aims to benefit both employers and job-seekers.

Previously employers were required to offer a minimum of 100 hours of work experience but the Treasury has said that this will now instead be a “high-quality work placement of 60 to 90 hours‘. With these changes, there is even more incentive for businesses to offer work experience. This BBC article explains a bit more about why this scheme is taking place and what it means. 

Are you a business in the hospitality industry and worried about re-opening?

Worried about re-opening your business after lockdown? This article has some great advice! Perhaps you are more concerned about how your business will drive foot traffic under these new circumstances. Vicinus, our hyperlocal marketing platform, can help you with this.

Check out our website to learn more.