Expert Insight
NEWS from
Each year, the month of August brings with it the usual summer lull as Parliament goes into recess, politicians go on holiday and we collectively prepare for an Autumn that will bring a new Parliament, party conferences, and a Budget Statement. This August is slightly different as we are going into the summer break with a brand-new Government, moving towards a Brexit date that coincides with an annual veneration of demons, ghosts and the walking dead.
As it stands, we will leave the European Union on 31 October, All Hallows’ Eve. The new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly stressed that the leaving date is a firm one and Brexit will happen “no ifs, no buts”. On the basis of his first few days in office, Johnson seems to be taking a firmer stance on the leave date. This is very much a Government brought together with the principal aim of delivering Brexit, so don’t expect an 11th hour extension.
The early indications seem to suggest a crackdown on immigration that could potentially pose huge problems to hospitality businesses. New Home Secretary Priti Patel has stated that she wants to push ahead with a tougher immigration system that seemingly prioritises high- skilled migrants. That approach to immigration – if implemented strictly along those terms – would likely limit the flow of non-UK team members into the hospitality sector. Although the majority of our workers are home-grown, the sector does complement its British workforce with workers from the EU and beyond. Unfortunately for us, the sort of work hospitality provides is seen as low-skilled, and this new Government seems to be geared toward promoting high-skilled migration only.
6 August 2019
www.venue-insight.com
Part of the work we have to do on this issue is changing perceptions that people have towards hospitality roles. This is something we highlighted last year and we have been working to show people that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and skill to be the best in our sector. UKHospitality’s Skills Challenge has seen MPs from around the UK coming into our venues to try their hand at making a perfect coffee, making a cocktail or showing their skill in the kitchen. We have hopefully been hammering home the message to politicians that the sector is not low-skilled. We want MPs to walk away having learned something about hospitality, understanding that the men and women who work in bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and nightclubs in every region are tremendously skilled. If you are interested in hosting your MP at your venue then don’t hesitate to contact UKHospitality.
Additionally, we hope that the skills challenge has reminded MPs how diverse and intricate the hospitality sector is and how vital the venues, and their staff, are to high streets. With this in the back of their mind, perhaps we can work towards an immigration solution that does not prevent businesses from hiring, investing and continuing to grow.
DUSK ‘TIL DAWN —
Kate Nicholls UKHospitality Chief Executive
NOMINATIONS 2019 Nominations are now open for the 2019 UKHospitality Dusk ‘til Dawn Awards, honouring the best in the UK’s late-night hospitality sector.
Nominations can now be submitted online across all of the following categories:
• Late-Night Food • Late-Night Drink • Late-Night Entertainment • Best Service and Team
• Best Promotional and Marketing Activity • Best Late-Night Bar • Late Late-Night Club • Best Late-Night Company
Nominations will close on Friday 6 September when a judging panel of leading suppliers and industry figures will shortlist three companies in each category, with the winners to be announced on 16 October at London’s famous Troxy.
UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Whether they are wine bars, nightclubs, live music venues or restaurants, late-night venues are always some of the most exciting venues on the high street. The apex of a night out, these are the places we go to celebrate with friends and enjoy ourselves. They are consistently at the cutting edge of hospitality and home to some of the best concepts, food, drink and entertainment.
“UKHospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Awards is a celebration of all the great work done by the late-night hospitality sector. It is a chance to recognise the best talent in an extremely talented field. Make sure you nominate your favourite venues and the most deserving teams who make our nights out truly fantastic.”
www.ukhospitality.org.uk/ surveys/?id=DTD_Nominations_2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
