Chancellor welcomes staff back as hospitality reopens

The Chancellor met some of the hospitality staff coming off furlough this weekend while on a visit to a pub in London. Thousands of people began returning to their jobs as pubs, restaurants, bars, and cafes gradually open their doors to customers again from Saturday.

While in The Bell & Crown pub in Chiswick, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, spoke with the pub’s Head Chef and Manager about how they plan to enforce social distancing and adjust working practices to minimise staff and customer contact.

The Bell & Crown pub is one of 27 pubs that Fuller’s are opening on Saturday, with the aim of having over 80% of their pubs and hotels open safely by the end of July. More than 600 of their staff will return from furlough this weekend.

The hospitality sector has been hit hard by the outbreak, with most of the county’s pubs and restaurants having to stop trading entirely. This has left staff without jobs, resulting in 1.4 million workers in the hospitality sector being furloughed, including more than 90% of staff in the pub sector.

The measured reopening of hospitality will allow the 1.4 million workers in this sector who have been furloughed to return to work safely. The pub is one of the 27 owned by Fuller’s set to open their doors on Saturday, bringing more than 600 people off furlough.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: The hospitality sector is a vital part of our economy and crucial to people’s livelihoods – Britain’s pubs and bars alone employ almost half a million people – which is why it’s such good news that so many people are able to return to work this weekend, helping us all to enjoy summer safely.

Simon Emeny, Chief Executive of Fuller’s, said: It’s fantastic to welcome back our teams and see the pubs getting ready to reopen and greet our customers.

“We will continue to open our pubs in a phased and gradual manner over the coming weeks and we’re really proud of the steps we’ve taken to protect our employees and our guests.

“It might look and feel slightly different, but I know our fantastic pub teams will still be able to deliver the great experience our customers expect from a Fuller’s pub.”

HRH Prince Charles raised a Royal glass to the hospitality industry:

Scottish pubs with outdoor drinking areas begin to emerge from lockdown tomorrow.

CAMRA’s National Chairman Nik Antona said: “Not being able to go to the pub for a pint over the past few months has really brought home how important our locals are to our communities and to tackling loneliness and social isolation.

“As pubs across England begin to reopen, it is important that we give pubs our support not only this weekend but in the weeks and months ahead so they can survive and thrive.

“Crucially, this must be done safely and responsibly. That’s why we have put together easy to use guides and graphics to help people understand what to expect and how to enjoy a pint safely.”