By Hammad Alam

The hospitality industry is facing a dire crisis as post-COVID staffing shortages threaten the sector’s recovery. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there are 132,000 unfilled roles in the sector – 48 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

Industry leaders have sounded the alarm on the challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled workers, highlighting the adverse effects on morale and service quality.

Daniel Slattery, General Manager of Kitty o’Sheas Bar, said that “During COVID when we were not operational, number of people has moved away from hospitality. That’s certainly evident with chefs and security industry. They have found more comfortable jobs. Perhaps not for as much money but when you way in additional stresses that these people go through in their work, perhaps more relax job would be beneficial to them.”

David Carson, General Manager of Platform Bar & Restaurant, shed light on the ongoing recruitment woes haunting the hospitality sector even after the pandemic’s peak has subsided. He said that,

“In Covid, it was very difficult because people were struggling to get back to work. So we had to deal with losing our people and within the industry as well. During the pandemic, a lot of people within hospitality sector chose to go to driving jobs and some other. So the recruitment after the pandemic was very difficult.”

He further said that “It’s quite hard to see how this affected morale and I think that there are lots of people come and go from hospitality sector so it’s probably affected people like me and people who have been managing in the industry for quite long time are probably affected.”

Urging for governmental intervention, he underscored the dire need for financial aid. “Financial support is needed more than anything. Independent operators are really struggling with the rising costs and particularly, VAT that was reduced. After Covid, it went back up. I think there are a lot of taxes which could be reduced to help smaller businesses and independent operators. So financial support from the government should probably be the best thing for hospitality sector.”

Stephen Montgomery, Executive Director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, highlighted the organization’s employee-focused initiatives, stating,

“We make sure that our employees once get food either at the start of the shift or at the end of the shift. We give food and breaks during the shifts. We give 25 percent off to our employee’s family when they come to our restaurants. We give them one of the cost of living grant, which is non-refundable and worth 300 pounds.”

Montgomery’s words underline the group’s unwavering commitment to enhancing employee well-being and satisfaction.

Amidst the trials of the pandemic, the unified stance of industry leaders and the proactive measures taken by the Scottish Hospitality Group stand as a beacon of hope in the hospitality sector. Their collective call for government support echoes through the corridors of small businesses and independent operators, promising a lifeline during these tumultuous times.