Hospitality group freezes restaurant prices amid cost of living crisis
A Scottish hospitality group has frozen prices across its hotel restaurants and bars to try and remain affordable to customers amid the cost of living crisis.
Manorview has not raised prices since May 2022 and said it would keep them static across its nine restaurants and bars in central Scotland for as long as it could afford to.
The group, which runs 11 hotels including Lynnhurst in Johnstone (pictured) and Cornhill Castle in Biggar, plans to increase pay for its 560 staff and will share 10% of its net profits with everyone who has been with the team for more than a year in January. The amount each person receives will be based on average hours worked, rather than their pay or role.
Managing director David Tracey said: "In these situations, it can be challenging to identify the ways that you can make a difference. The reality is we can't influence rising energy costs, and we can't lower fuel costs, but what we can do is look after our team and ensure our customers can continue to enjoy our venues without costs rising there too."
Manorview pays staff the Living Wage, which is independently calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on the cost of living. The rate rose by 10% this year, from £9.90 per hour to £10.90 per hour, and the group said it would pay its team the higher rate by 28 November. Those on salaries and higher hourly rates will also receive a pay rise.
The company said it was also looking at setting up an emergency financial fund to help staff in a crisis.
Other large hospitality groups have begun offering extra payments and grants to their teams to help with rising costs. London's Strand Palace hotel is to give staff a £500 bonus, contract caterer Green & Fortune is offering team members up to £600 while Compass Group is providing grants to its 50,000 employees.
Restaurant chains including Itsu and Pret A Manger have also raised wages in a bid to help staff cope with rising costs.
Manorview is an independent hospitality group and was founded in 2006 by Steve Graham.
