'Use us or lose us', hospitality firms warn

Pub, cafes and restaurants in Worcestershire have said they need the public's support "more than ever" as winter approaches.

About 70 businesses joined a special summit organised by Wychavon District Council on Monday, the first event of its kind in the area.

The event was aimed at sharing the industry's concerns over areas like tax, wages and recruitment, as well as details of help available from the council.

"If you don't support the pubs, some of them won't be here in the spring - I know it's a cliche but I always say 'use it or lose it'," said Brian Ingham, who runs The Anchor pub in Wyre Piddle.

"We know times are tough and some people are paying £100 to fill up their car, we get that.

"But I would say to anyone, 'use your local'. There's eight or nine pubs across the country closing every week at the moment."

He added: "It's going to be a tough winter for our industry. We really need people to come out and support us."

Other hospitality venue owners who were at the event said they would continue to campaign for a reduction in VAT, after the government decided to keep it at 20% in the Budget.

Vincenzo Salerno, who runs a pizzeria in Evesham called Flavours, said: "Things are tough, mainly due to the costs of running a business like ours.

"We are still getting the customers in, but we're only a small business. VAT is a real problem."

Other employers said they were keen to see more money spent on marketing Worcestershire as a place for tourism.

Jordan Hughes, general manager at The Lygon Arms in Broadway, said: "We are struggling with recruitment, but that's an industry-wide thing.

"We've got amazing people, amazing produce and amazing buildings all around us, hospitality is one of the things that's great about the UK.

"We've got to keep pushing that message and encouraging the government to help us."

Rob Wells, from Tower Pig, which provides mobile bars for outdoor events in Worcestershire, said: "Let's hope Father Christmas brings a sack full of goodies for us, and everyone spends something over the winter.

"If everyone in the county spent £5 in a pub or coffee shop, then everyone in this room would be happy."

A spokesperson for the district council said hospitality was now worth a record £197 million in Wychavon.

Councillor Richard Morris, leader of Wychavon District Council ,said: "Our hospitality businesses make a vital contribution to not only Wychavon's economy, but also to the life of the district.

"We want to do everything we can to help them thrive, (the summit) was about connecting people with the wide range of support available."

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