UKHospitality Update

Future relaxations of lockdown: with the publication today of its plan to support arts and cultural venues, the Government has paved the way for outlining the next phase of the timetable for reopening the final parts of the economy. This is expected to take place later this week and will include pool, spa and indoor leisure, indoor attractions and soft play, business conferences and meetings, weddings and events as well as entertainment. We are pressing for indicative dates to build business confidence and certainty. The PM has committed to reopening sectors as soon as possible

 

Local Lockdowns: the Government has reiterated its intention to avoid national lock downs following the easing of restrictions at the weekend. There will be 5 steps to introduce future local restrictions should infection levels raise:

Monitoring – looking out for emerging trends and indicators of increased infections using localised data.

Engagement – if monitoring identifies local problems the Gov will work with the local authority to provide a solution and inform the community.

Testing – target mass population testing at areas of need.

Tracing – restricting access to location and tracing those who have been in contact with the virus.

Local Lockdown – closing shops, schools, etc will be a matter of last resort and could see social distancing controls reintroduced before business are closed

We have asked the Government to provide clearer details for business of the triggers for business closure and contingencies for ongoing support should hospitality services have to cease

Leicester Lockdown: the Government has confirmed that residents within the Leicester lockdown area will be unable to travel from their home but that there will be no legal obligation for accommodation providers outside the Leicester area to check whether guests are resident within the lockdown area of turn people from Leicester away. However, accommodation providers should allow customers with existing bookings to cancel them or to postpone to a future date. The Government has also confirmed that provider can refuse service or ask a person to leave.

 

Government Update

The Government has today announced a new £10m kickstart tourism package to support businesses in tourist destinations. Grants of up to £5,000 will be available to help businesses adapt to new social distancing & hygiene requirements or make changes to their business following the coronavirus pandemic. The funding will be able to be used to pay for specialist professional advice, to adopt new technology and online systems or to purchase new equipment. Funding will be allocated to each Local Growth Hub based on how much of their employment base is linked to tourism and hospitality businesses.

The Government has announced that organisations across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will be able to access a £1.57bn package of emergency grants and loans. These will be accessible through cultural and arts organisations including individual venues and organisations

The option to defer VAT payments during coronavirus has come to an end and businesses can no longer defer VAT.

DHSC has now digitised the process for booking Covid-19 tests. The portal enables individuals to book a test themselves, accessible via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/. Alternatively, employers can refer staff using an employer portal. Accounts for this portal can be requested by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk.