UKHospitality launches suppliers’ alliance to push for Government help

Its Supplier Alliance will give a new platform to businesses that supply pubs and restaurants, and have suffered a loss of income owing to the coronavirus closure orders.

The coalition will include members of the trade body and those outside it to ensure a collective push from venues and their suppliers.

Suppliers have been asked to take part in a survey​ to help the group gather a picture of how severely they have been hit by the coronavirus crisis and what areas they need support with.

The survey asks businesses how their level of trade has been affected by the crisis and how optimistic they feel about the next 12 months of operations.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been acutely felt across the hospitality sector.

Hammered hard

She said: “There are many associated businesses that rely on the sector for their livelihood and these have been hammered just as hard.

“Supplier businesses within hospitality are just as wide-ranging, varied and dynamic as the venues themselves. Our sector supports businesses as disparate as EPoS (electronic point of sale) companies, licensing solicitors or even linen specialists. The shutdown of the hospitality sector has meant that all these businesses have been forced into hibernation as well.

“The Government has recognised the damage that pubs, restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs have suffered and has acted quickly and decisively to provide support and save jobs. 

“There are many businesses integral to the hospitality sector, facing the same existential crisis and they need the Government’s support now.”

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