Bristol Hoteliers Association argues furlough ‘isn’t enough’

Hoteliers in Bristol have urged the government to increase their support of the industry during the upcoming second lockdown.

While the Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) said the extension of the furlough scheme was “very welcome”, it argued that many businesses will find lockdown “very challenging because of ongoing costs that they have”.

It added that the furlough scheme was “the very least that the Government can do”. 

BHA Chair Raphael Herzog said: “We still have to retain staff to keep our buildings secure, to answer the phones and deal with enquiries, maintain the grounds and ensure that the hotels are regularly cleaned.

“We will have no revenue coming in, yet we have to pay for the staff and that’s not even thinking about all the other regular outgoings, like maintenance and building contracts, electricity, pumps for the pool and so on. The £3,000 a month grant is simply not enough to cover our costs.”

He added: “For businesses that are being forced to close, we feel that the Government should provide more funding to help with these essential costs in addition to paying 80% of the payroll, and businesses can top up the remaining 20% for.

“As things stand, this new lockdown is due to run until December 4 but there are already some reports suggesting it could be extended further. This uncertainty and lack of clarity makes it very difficult for us to plan ahead, so any further support that we can get from the Government will be a huge help towards giving our businesses a better chance of surviving.”

He added that the hospitality sector’s case for further support is “strengthened even further” due to the industry “being targeted despite evidence suggesting that it is responsible for only a small percentage of traceable infections outside the home”.

It comes as Public Health England statistics for week 44 showed that food outlets and restaurants accounted for 2% of traceable infections, while schools and universities account for 22%.