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First Dates star Merlin Griffiths on Covid & hospitality

13th October 2020
Posted by Aston Avery

Hospitality has been one of hardest hit sectors of the economy but the true impact of the pandemic on the smallest business owners is revealed in research released today.

The drop off in customers, having to furlough or make staff redundant, and not being able to pay themselves has taken its toll, keeping many owners awake at night.

Christmas is traditionally a bumper time for those in the hospitality trade but now 27% fear their business may not survive past the festive period. A further 27% revealed that financial pressures and general uncertainty have made them fearful or anxious with 25% saying they feel less in control.

Forced to close their doors for weeks during lockdown and miss out on vital revenue, pubs and restaurants saw some recovery with the lifting of restrictions in July and the introduction of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out Scheme in August. However, they have also had to reduce their trading hours with a compulsory 10pm closing time in recent weeks to curb the spike in COVID-19 infections.

A new study by Smart Energy GB finds that nearly three quarters of small hospitality business owners have suffered a negative impact on their finances due to the pandemic. Similarly, over two thirds (69%) saying the situation has had a damaging impact on their mental health and almost a third (32%) suffering sleepless nights.

Aston spoke to Merlin Griffiths, pub owner and TV mixologist who can be seen hit Channel 4 show First Dates to discuss how the Hospitality – Take Time, Take Control campaign can offer a shoulder to lean on for an industry in need of emotional and practical support.

Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash