The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (8 July) asked the First Minister to re-examine his administration’s approach to reopening the Welsh hospitality sector, urging him to enable indoor trading.

Her intervention came as a survey by the Welsh Independent Restaurant Collective found that at least 30,000 job losses are expected in the sector as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and that nearly half of these loses may have already occurred. In his reply to the Member's questions, the First Minister blamed alcohol sales for his reasoning to prevent indoor trade.

Speaking after her contribution to this week’s Plenary session, Janet said:

“If the First Minister is serious in his support for the Welsh hospitality sector then it is imperative that the Welsh Government looks at allowing indoor trading from the 13 July. His blaming of alcohol sales for preventing this from happening does not stack up.

"Restaurants and cafes alike are confused as to why they cannot reopen indoor trade, so long as they introduce the correct safety guidance. Many would be willing to look at restricting alcohol sales should this be a continued impediment.

“For many businesses, outdoor only service is not economically viable. With 3,700 different Welsh food and drink products on retailers’ shelves, and many employed in the wider food supply chain, the current guidance on reopening poses a widespread threat to the Welsh economy.

“As new figures indicate that approximately 15,000 jobs may have already been lost in the hospitality sector, Mark Drakeford must wake up to the fact that his uneven proposals to reopen the Welsh hospitality sector will have a disastrous impact on jobs.”

ENDS

Photo: Katlyn Gibers/UnSplash