UKHospitality launches supplier alliance

Trade body UKHospitality has launched a supplier alliance to push for Government support to help hospitality supplier businesses that will be critical to operators being able to successfully restart.

The group, which draws on both UKHospitality's supplier membership and non-members, will push for government support for suppliers in line with operators. Its aim is to ensure any ongoing measures to support hospitality include the entire supply chain.

The alliance has been launched simultaneously with a survey to ascertain the scale of the crisis facing supplier businesses and the need for support.

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: "The effect of the Covid-19 crisis has been acutely felt by hospitality businesses, and the impact is felt right across the sector. There are many associated businesses which 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 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 have 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."