UKHospitality welcomes support for businesses hit by ‘firebreak lockdown’
UK trade body UKHospitality says the firebreak lockdown in Wales is a ‘severe blow’ to Welsh hospitality and tourism.
But it has welcomed news that hospitality businesses will be given financial support.
The Welsh government announced earlier today that Wales would go into a new lockdown from 6pm on Friday October 23 for 17 days, with non-essential retail, leisure and hospitality businesses to close.
Hotels and self-catering accommodation will also close at 6pm and visitors from outside Wales will be told to leave. They will not be allowed to continue their trips and no non-essential travel will be allowed in or out of the country until 9 November.
UKHospitality Cymru Executive Director for Wales, David Chapman said: "Another lockdown, even a short one such as this, is a severe blow to Welsh hospitality and tourism. If it has to happen, though, it is very encouraging to see the First Minister single out hospitality for support."
"The package announced today is welcome, positive and shows that the Welsh Government is listening to us."
However Chapman called for further advice on how businesses will be helped and support applied.
"Once the firebreak is complete, we then need to see some really innovative thinking around how Welsh Government continues to support the sector and that must include a second look at current restrictions around opening hours. Hospitality is part of the solution, not the problem, to keeping Covid-19 at bay," he said.
By Louise Longman, Contributing Editor (UK)
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