Scottish hospitality clubs together to safeguard jobs

Some of the biggest names in Scottish hospitality have joined forces to help safeguard jobs, with the industry facing its third and toughest winter since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. 

Edinburgh's Brewhemia, McKays Hotel in Perthshire, Links House at Royal Dornoch in Sutherland, Ingliston Country Club & Hotel in Renfrewshire, Tyneside Tavern and Mazzoli Italian Kitchen in East Lothian and Banchory Lodge in Aberdeenshire are among over 50 hospitality businesses already backing a new Scotland-wide 'Help Out Hospitality' campaign to support struggling companies facing escalating costs. 

Energy is the biggest reported cost hike, on top of massive increases in food and labour bills this winter. Many business owners believe this could be a stretch too far without the vital support of initiatives like Help Out Hospitality.  

Since last year, commercial energy bills are around 400% higher, food bills are up by around 20% and labour costs have increased by around 10%. The Bank of England's biggest interest rate rise since 1989 is also having an impact on consumers, who are already starting to tighten their belts and cut spending on eating out. 

Led by procurement firm The Full Range, the Help Out Hospitality initiative has been designed to incorporate every aspect of the hospitality supply chain, including food and drink producers, allowing businesses to create enticing consumer deals on both meals and overnight stays at a time which typically sees a drop in business. 

Barry Knight, director of The Full Range, comments: "Scotland's hospitality industry employs around 220,000 people, which makes up around 8.6% of the country's total jobs. The current cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on each and every operator, regardless of business size.

"The sector really is on 'life support' if help is not provided to trade more efficiently through the winter trading period. We think our new Help Out Hospitality [initiative] will go some [way] to supporting businesses where they need it most at this critical time."

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