UKHospitality issues guidelines to allow restaurants, pubs and hotels to reopen on July 4th

British trade body UKHospitality has sent its 75-page manuscript to the government outlining the necessary measures for the hospitality industry to reopen safely on July 4th. 

The Telegraph reports that it includes tailored guidelines for individual businesses - from pubs and hotels to restaurants, nightclubs, holiday resorts and amusement parks - as hospitality leaders called for flexibility, as opposed to a one-size fits all approach. 

If the government decides to endorse the guidelines, abiding with social distancing will mean restaurant kitchens cannot be fully staffed, buffets will be banned and items such as salt and pepper (in sachets, not shakers), cutlery and condiments will be brought to tables by waiting staff when serving customers. 

As well as pleading that the executive goes ahead with the measures outlined in the text, UKHospitality #Fair4Hospitality campaign is calling for an extension of the furlough scheme until businesses can successfully restart, as well as a rent-free holiday for the rest of 2020, and a VAT freeze - which it says will boost confidence and incentivise visits to tourist destinations. 

Chief executive Kate Nicholls said:“We will be ready to restart in England on July 4, and other parts of the country when allowed, but it’s vital that reopening is done in the right way, at the right time and with the right support - so that our industry can help bring employees, customers and communities back together safely over the coming months.

“The summer is a crucial time for the sector. The Great British public deserve safe accommodation, eating and drinking out experiences, holidays and leisure time; the financial cost is a justified investment in our nation’s wellbeing and the future of the economy.”

The news was welcomed by industry leaders, who echoed UKHospitality's calls for the government to agree to the terms it set out.  

We support the #Fair4Hospitality campaign from @UKHofficial. Government, please endorse the industry’s experience-led Covid-19 operating protocols, and give businesses a clear path towards opening safely on 4 July. It won’t be easy, but we at least need to know what we have to do https://t.co/FicRx1Unmk

— B&B Association #BandBsareGREAT (@BandBassoc) May 20, 2020

The document many have been waiting for - the proposals to get our pubs open again.

No propping up the bar

single-use disposable menus

some urinal closures

Will be going through all the hospitality changes @BBCBreakfast this morning. https://t.co/mgat68aAWY

— Sean Farrington (@seanfarrington) May 20, 2020