Welsh hospitality businesses risk losing 40,000 jobs this summer, UKHospitality warns

UKHospitality has warned that 40,000 jobs across the Welsh hospitality industry are at risk over the next two months because of continued uncertainty over reopening so late in the season.

The comment, made this morning by UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls on Twitter, follows previous reports that Welsh operators have asked for increased support, including six weeks' notice for reopening, extended aid for seasonal businesses through the winter and an extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for the hospitality, tourism and event sectors.

David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru, has previously called for an "alignment from all governments" and requested a six-week lead-in from the Welsh government which, unlike other countries in the UK, has given no indication of when businesses could reopen.

As with other UK nations, many businesses are "ready to open" but need certainty on times and conditions, UKHospitality has previously said after it was revealed an easing of restrictions from 22 June was being considered.

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