Hospitality sector can revitalise communities and drive recovery

UKHospitality has published a raft of recommendations for local government ahead of elections in early May, stating the sector’s crucial value as an agent for positive change for post-Covid communities across the nation.

The manifesto outlines a dozen ways in which local authorities, councillors and council officers can help the sector get communities back on their feet, while simultaneously demonstrating that hospitality is best placed to lead the UK’s economic recovery.

Key among the 12 policies are ways to promote the sector’s ongoing work to tackle its crippling 400,000 jobs shortage; licensing extensions and faster planning processes to encourage business; and spotlighting the innovative work the industry is doing to support the government’s 2050 net zero target.

UKHospitality’s manifesto seeks to inform local authority leaders, elected representatives and local and regional authority officers about how best they can support those businesses devastated by Covid, and in turn drive recovery, employment and investment across the UK.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Pre-Covid, our sector created £130 billion in economic activity and generated £39 billion of tax for the Exchequer to fund vital services. The industry made up 10 per cent of UK employment, six per cent of businesses and five per cent of GDP. We’re confident that, with the right support measures in place, hospitality businesses will bounce back stronger, and deliver growth and investment across the UK once more.”