NEWS FROM THE ALMR Expert Insights


The 23rd January saw the ALMR and the British Hospitality Association announce plans to merge and form a single combined organisation called UKHospitality, with the power to speak for the entirety of the country’s dynamic hospitality sector. If approved by the members, this new body will be a powerful new voice for a vital sector that generates over £130 billion in revenue annually and employs almost 3 million people around the UK.


This important sector needs a cohesive voice to speak up for it, particularly now as the political and economic landscape continues to shift and evolve.


The proposal to merge the two organisations represents a natural progression from the recent collaborative work that has brought success over recent years. It will give the sector resources and the influence to communicate with the Government at the highest possible levels and achieve even more than we could have hoped for separately.


Our interests and spheres of influence are going to widen, particularly across the membership-base which will incorporate all aspects of hospitality and include businesses as diverse and exciting as hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, leisure parks, visitor attractions, pubs, nightclubs and, it is hoped, even more in the near future.


The combined hospitality sector is the 3rd largest private sector employer in the UK. The sector is forecast to grow by 4.3% generating 19,000 additional jobs by 2020. It is a huge and hugely valuable sector deserving of a seat at the top negotiating table and the intention is for UKHospitality, a body that will represent 700 of the UK’s most


innovative companies, to give us that influence that these businesses deserve.


The plans have been put to members of both the ALMR and the BHA and will be voted on at the end of February. If the proposals are approved, the plan is for myself to take up the position as Chief Executive with Nick Varney, Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments, taking up the position of Chairman with Casual Dining Group Chief Executive and ALMR Chairman Steve Richards as Deputy Chair. This will give us a leadership that combines expertise and knowledge, with passion and flair for both businesses and politics; putting us in the best possible position to achieve success.


This is a very exciting time for the ALMR, BHA and the hospitality sector as a whole. The opportunity to cement the sector’s reputation as one of the UK’s key economic and social assets is there for the taking. This is also an opportunity for hospitality trend-setters such as yourselves to be part of an enterprise that transforms hospitality in the UK.


The proposals have been recommended to members and an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) will be held in February to approve them.


GOVERNMENT ACTION ON GAMING MACHINES CAN BOOST PUBS


The ALMR has called on the Government to provide much-needed support for pubs buy revitalising the gaming machine sector.


ALMR Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Gaming machines have historically been vital revenue streams for pubs, but their impact is dwindling due to a combination of factors. Red tape and costs prevent venues from utilising machines fully and customers have increasingly been lured away by other forms of gaming. If gaming machines are to regain their usefulness and revive their financial contribution, the Government must act to give businesses a chance make the most of them.


“A simple first step from the Government would be


to increase the automatic entitlement for venues and cut red tape from the process of acquiring additional machines, benefiting both licensees and local authorities. Venues are only entitled to two machines but must £50 to take up that entitlement, plus an additional £50 fee every time the licence changes. Those costs are unjustified.


“Currently, manufacturers are extremely limited in their ability modernise machines due to restrictive technical standards. A relaxation of these standards would allow for the manufacture of more appealing machines. Investigating the use of contactless payments for machines would allow ease-of-use while promoting safety. Cashless machines would help provide data on player spends and habits, reduce the risk of


break-ins and virtually eliminate the potential for money laundering. With thousands of ATMs being taken out of pubs in recent weeks, there is an alarming decrease in cash in pubs, that could affect not only machines but other spending, too – contactless needs to be embraced.


“These steps would provide support for an important revenue stream for pubs without increasing the risk of harm. Machines would still be in place in safe, supervised environments with far less risk of abuse than most other forms of gambling. Pubs continue to face an increase in costs and many of them are struggling. Steps to support gaming machines would provide relief for businesses operating under tight financial circumstances.”


Kate Nicholls ALMR Chief Executive


MPS URGED TO PROTECT UK’S MUSIC VENUES


Ahead of the Parliamentary debate in January on the Agent of Change Principle, the ALMR urged MPs to support the UK’s music venues.


ALMR Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:


“A UK-wide adoption of the Agent of Change Principle would be a pragmatic and positive move that would secure the status of our hugely important music venues and nightclubs.


“As a country, we ar e fiercely


proud of our world-class musical talent and our history of producing musical pioneers and innovators. Should music venues continue to be placed at r


isk by developers, this talent will have nowhere to flourish. Venues are crucial parts of local communities and fantastic cultural and economic assets.


“The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has already included the Principle in the Draft London Plan, recognising the value of London’s music venues and the significant damage that would be done should they close.


We are urging MPs to support the Principle to secure the f


uture of music venues acr the UK.”


oss


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