Giving hospititality a voice

The York & North Yorkshire Hospitality Forum has been officially launched to great fanfare.

Established to represent, champion and support the sector, the Hospitality Forum has a core purpose of giving the industry a voice and make sure it is recognised regionally, nationally and internationally.

Hospitality accounts for some 50,000 roles across North Yorkshire and is a cornerstone of the region’s economy whose impact runs far and wide in terms of its supply chain benefits, employment impact and supporting services.

The region also remains one of the UK’s leading tourism hotspots with millions of visitors pouring in every year from all over the world. The overwhelming majority of the firms operating in this sector are SMEs and micro-businesses with only a handful of employees.

However, the pandemic and its aftermath have taken a heady toll on the commercial strength of the sector. The cumulative impact of rising costs, recruitment and retention issues, access to finance, the drive towards net zero, inconsistent demand and how it is perceived as a career option have left many enterprises facing an uncertain future.

The York & North Yorkshire Hospitality Forum will endeavour to ensure that the hospitality sector is on the agendas of both central government and the region’s councils, work to encourage funding for the firms operating in the industry and to both find and share best practice within the sector. In addition, it will work alongside the Chamber’s Local Skills Improvement Plan to address any shortfalls in skills that the sector may be dealing with, as well as to encourage positive media activity.

Philip Bolson, owner of consultancy firm Mr B Hospitality and chair of the Hospitality Forum, said: “Never before has hospitality been under so much pressure.

“Whilst many hospitality businesses across the region are working hard on what is in their control, they do need more support and direct action from both local authorities and national government.”

Laurence Beardmore, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is determined to do everything it can to support those industries to survive and subsequently recover and the newly formed Hospitality forum will be central to our strategy.”

A successful launch event was staged at North Yorkshire’s Sandburn Hall, attended by more than 70 people.

From accommodation providers to pubs, tearooms, cafes, restaurants and food and drink suppliers we would love to hear your opinions, get you involved and find out more.

We are gathering information to give hospitality the voice it deserves at a regional and national level and help inform and shape policy decision making.