Hospitality

In-person events

bring cheer to hospitality firms

A year ago, the country was preparing to enter yet another lockdown as coronavirus cases soared. A COVID vaccine had not yet been found and many businesses were closed, with no certainty on when they’d be allowed to open again.

Now, however, the picture has changed. Despite rising numbers of cases, a COVID vaccine has proved effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths. Lockdowns, hopefully, are a thing of the past, businesses are open once more and people can meet others faceto-face again. That has been a real boost to the events and hospitality industries, which were hit harder than most during the pandemic.

Roles in short supply in the hospitality industry include chefs, front of house staff, baristas, managers, housekeepers and kitchen staff. Work Match events have been held at various locations across the borough and to date the scheme has helped more than 1,800 Wandsworth residents into local jobs across a wide range of sectors.

As society starts to reopen again, events that were held online last year are now being hosted in-person. It has been encouraging recently to see so many business leaders – many of whom are making a huge positive difference to the economy of Wandsworth – gather at local events to network with each other, explore new trading opportunities and celebrate each other’s achievements.

Music concerts, weddings and informal greets in bars and restaurants have all been held in recent weeks as society begins to return to some sort of normality again. This is particularly encouraging for the hospitality industry, which has faced a unique set of challenges in the pandemic – notably, a chronic shortage of staff. This shortage is highlighted more starkly at this time of year, with the festive season traditionally the busiest time for bars and restaurants.

Local companies in this important sector have been addressing this problem with Wandsworth Council through the council’s Work Match scheme, which helps people get a job, traineeship or apprenticeship with local firms.

Roles in short supply in the hospitality industry include chefs, front of house staff, baristas, managers, housekeepers and kitchen staff. Work Match events have been held at various locations across the borough and to date the s cheme has helped more than 1,800 Wandsworth residents into local jobs across a wide range of sectors. Cllr Rhodri Morgan, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for economic development, skills & employment said: “Work Match has helped hundreds of Wandsworth residents into work and helps to ensure that local people are first in line for the vacancies opening up as new businesses come to the area. “Why not go along and have a chat with one of the Work Match team? They can tell you about current job opportunities, as well as give you more general advice on how they can help you find employment. “Work Match is a council-run, free service that places local residents with local businesses. The service is free for jobseekers and employers. Work Match also offers support and training to help those looking for a job to be better equipped for securing a position.”

For more information on Work Match, visit https://wandsworthworkmatch.org/

Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce has strong links with the local hospitality industry and has previously hosted several events to showcase this important sector. Beverley Corsen, the incoming chief executive officer at Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, says: “It has been so encouraging to see businesses come together to meet face-to-face after so long. In the past 18 months, we’ve all had to adjust to working virtually and while this has had its benefits, most people would acknowledge that in-person events can bring additional benefits – a shake of the hand and a welcoming smile can go such a long way to forging and cementing strong relationships. “Wandsworth’s business community has responded brilliantly to the pandemic, regularly going above and beyond over the past 18 months. Companies have achieved so much during this period despite all of the challenges that the pandemic has brought to their door. “This resilience and adaptability will hold them in good stead as they plot the next stage of their growth. I’m confident that 2022 will be a much brighter and more successful year for our companies.”