NEWS Hospitality’s Christmas bookings hope, as WHO declare Omicron ‘mild’ The hard-pressed hospitality sector received a much-needed boost when the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that cases of the Covid-19 variant Omicron appear to be ‘mild’. That, coupled with Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging people and businesses to go ahead with Christmas and New Year parties, could slow the number of those cancelling bookings, it is felt. Anecdotal evidence gathered by the hospitality industry since the variant emerged just as the countdown down to the festive season begins, suggests there were cancellations in direct response to Omicron’s emergence. However, more recent feedback from operators points to a slowing of cancellations, with many people determined to go ahead with parties, it is claimed. Venues such as pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs have invested heavily to ensure the safety of staff and customers, focusing on better ventilation, hygiene and sanitation measures which SAGE
recommend are the most effective measures of infection control, and meaning hospitality venues will be safer places at which to socialise with family and friends this Christmas than at home. But the slow-down in cancellations is small comfort for hospitality, after latest figures revealed that the sector has been hit by a 30% slump in Christmas bookings even before the emergence of Omicron. A recent survey of hundreds of hospitality operators, representing tens of thousands of venues, reveals bookings for the festive period were down 12.4% on average based on expectations from 2019, while 56% of respondents said bookings were below what they had hoped. Alarmingly, 22% of those polled in the survey said that, even prior to Omicron, festive bookings were more than 30% below expectations. Reflecting this, operators in the sector are losing confidence. A new survey of business leaders in the sector shows confidence levels in the market have fallen seven percentage points to 51%
in this quarter versus Q3 and are down by 16 percentage points to 54% when it comes to their own businesses. In a joint statement, UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and the British Beer & Pub Association said: “The full range of hospitality venues across the UK would usually be experiencing their annual bookings bonanza at this time of year, but it hadn’t materialised even before Omicron was first detected. “The WHO announcement that Omicron infections are generally mild, plus government promptings for festive gatherings to go ahead as planned, offer a crumb of comfort, and could at least slow the slew of cancellations the sector has experienced in the week since Omicron was discovered. “We’d therefore urge those with bookings not to cancel them, but to carry on and enjoy their festive season parties, safe in the knowledge that hospitality venues are doing everything they can to ensure people have a safe and fun Christmas and New Year.”
Fundraising campaign brings a ‘pizza’ Christmas to children and families in need Children’s charity Barnardo’s Christmas campaign will have a unique flavour this year thanks to partnership with a Warwickshire artisan pizza company. Birtelli’s is working with Barnardo’s until the end of December and looking to raise £15,000 for the charity by supporting the Kidsmas campaign, which includes a live event at Birmingham Town Hall. Birtelli’s is also aiming to deliver some Christmas cheer and fun by delivering pizza meal kits to children and families that are supported by Barnardo’s, helping them spend time together and eating home-grown produce-based pizzas, including a special Christmas pizza. It was launched at the charity’s Warwickshire Family Centre, where staff and volunteers were able to see first-hand just how much creating, cooking and eating pizza can bring people together. Aoibheann Doherty, community fundraising manager at Barnardo’s said: “Staff and volunteers were delighted when Birtelli’s approached them and suggested this innovative partnership as part of the wider Kidsmas campaign, particularly given the impact Covid 19 has had on families throughout the area. 6
“They were able to see just how, together, we’ll be able to deliver moments of happiness, wellbeing and laughter to our support services across the UK. Christmas time can be a fantastic time for many children, but for some children living in poverty or living in social isolation it can bring many challenges. “We are grateful for the support of Birtelli’s through this partnership. We’re hoping it will inject some flavour and joy into Christmas this year, for both the children we care for and as a thank you to our own colleagues and volunteers who have worked so hard over the last 18 months. “And until Boxing Day Birtelli’s will donate 15% of every pizza meal kit sold throughout England, Scotland and Wales to our Kidsmas campaign, and are hoping to raise £15,000 towards our Kidsmas campaign. “It was great to launch the campaign by rewarding some of the unsung heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic, Barnardo’s volunteers and staff. They have all worked so hard supporting and protecting children and young people across the UK, so deserve the recognition and the tasty pizzas served up at our meeting.” December 2021
