The Welsh Government must provide fresh and substantial support for hospitality businesses hit by new trading restrictions, following similar tightening in England and Scotland, according to UKHospitality Cymru.
The trade body is calling for immediate support, otherwise businesses will close and jobs in many communities around Wales will be lost.
UKHospitality Executive Director for Wales, David Chapman (pictured) said, “Hospitality businesses are vital employers in many Welsh communities and extra restrictions are a huge blow.
'In isolation, they may appear moderate, but it has to be remembered that our businesses opened five weeks after those in England and the season has been heavily curtailed. The cumulative effect is going to be hugely damaging.
“Six months is a long time after enforced closure for four months of the season. We could see customers deterred from going out to eat and drink and there is the likelihood that thousands of jobs will be lost.'
Chapman continued, “We desperately need a swift and substantial package of financial support. We need an extension to the furlough scheme for our workers, in order to keeps jobs secure. We need confirmation that measures will be brought in to cut costs and allow businesses to rebuild next year.
'This means an extension of the VAT cut and business rates holiday along with need a rent-debt settlement package. The alternative is wholesale business failures and disastrous job losses.”