The British Beer & Pub Association has warned of ‘serious’ staff shortages it says pubs are experiencing.
Photograph: Unsplash/Amie Johnson
It has written to employment minister, Mims Davies, urging the government to urgently do what it can to help the sector with such staff shortages. According to the BBPA, some of its members have either had to shut pubs or greatly reduce their service due to the shortages.
It says the shortages have been caused by an array of factors, from the labour-intensive requirements of social distancing restrictions the sector has to operate under, to EU nationals not returning to the UK, as well as a disconnect in staff on furlough returning to work in pubs, particularly those with double jobs.
It says that in order to show returning and prospective pub and hospitality staff that the sector is a safe and stable employer, it is of paramount importance that the government sticks to the roadmap commitment of removing restrictions on 21st June.
It has also urged the government to expand the Youth Mobility Scheme to cover more nations and provide a more flexible approach to immigration by reviewing the shortage occupation list, to help support pub and hospitality staffing needs for the long term.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “This is a major concern for our sector as it is hindering its recovery after lockdown. At our heart we are a people business and we need good people to provide the best hospitality.
“Even before the crisis, pubs in some areas were struggling to find the staff with the skills they need, particularly chefs and kitchen staff. As they re-open and begin their recovery, some have found staff have either moved away or found jobs in other sectors.”
