Hospitality Sector calls for new supports
Hotels guesthouses, restaurants and pubs are seeking additional support fllowing the annuncement of a New Year Coronavirus lockdown.
The hotels sector will now be in effective lock-down from the 27th December, over a week earlier than expected. Describing the impact on the sector as a financial body blow, Tim Fenn, chief executive, Irish Hotels Federation said businesses throughout the sector now face enormous additional financial losses at a time of continued economic uncertainty.
Mr Fenn stated: “The implications of ongoing restrictions are nothing short of devastating for our sector. Government supports to date have fallen short and not gone far enough in recognising the full extent of the economic impact on our sector. Traditionally, the Christmas trading period is absolutely vital for sustaining hotels during the first few months of the following year. Now, that revenue too is gone with today’s announcement.
Adrian Cummins, ceo of the RAI called for immediate additionl support for restaurants.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland has called on the Government to provide a comprehensive new package of supports if the pub industry is to survive until the new Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
The group made its plea after the Government decided to close pubs serving food along with restaurants on Christmas Eve.
It said the decision brings closer the probability that pubs will remain shut past March 15, 2021, the one year anniversary of when the trade first closed.
Readers Choice Awards.
into effect on the 24th of December.
