Hospitality associations call for ‘urgent resolution’ amid rail strikes
An open letter has called for a settlement ‘so businesses and communities can operate freely in this most critical of trading periods’
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Hospitality bodies have written an open letter to the negotiating parties in the rail dispute stressing the “urgent need for a resolution” ahead of the festive period.
The British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping, Night Time Industries Association, Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and the Association of Town and City Management all co-signed the letter.
The letter said: “We are urging you with a singular voice to come together to reach a settlement so businesses and communities can operate freely in this most critical of trading periods.”
It added that December is the busiest month of the year for UK pubs in which they earn a “significant portion” of their annual takings, the equivalent to £2.3bn for the month and £582m across the industry in the week of the proposed strikes.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The weeks leading up to Christmas are the busiest of the year for pubs, and they were looking forward to trading normally for the first time in three years, but news of these strikes have dealt a serious blow in an already critically difficult economic climate.
“Every day we go without a resolution is another day of damage to the industry, with cancellations being made and Christmas parties called off. Our industry desperately needs a boost this Christmas and so we are urging all parties to find an urgent resolution to rescue this festive season from ruin for our pubs.”
