UKH Cymru urges Welsh gov to ‘bring forward’ indoor reopening

UKHospitality Cymru (UKHC) is calling for the Welsh government to “bring forward” the date for the reopening of indoor hospitality in the country.

The trade association is calling for the reopening of Wales’ hospitality sector to at least align with England and Scotland’s commitment to opening doors on 17 May.

Wales’ first minister Mark Drakeford said the government would consider reopening indoor hospitality and remaining visitor accommodation by the end of May, ahead of the spring public holiday.

Currently, outdoor hospitality is set to open on 26 April, including pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Dave Chapman, UKHC’s executive director, said: “Covid-19 cases in Wales are currently the lowest number since we were open for business in last autumn, below 20 per 100,000. Our vaccination programme is a huge success.

“This week Scotland joined England in announcing opening indoors on 17th May. We are opening on a very limited basis outdoors on 26th April, some two weeks after England, yet we have been closed longer. The indoor opening ‘soft target’ remains before the end of May.”

He added: “There are simply no reasons now why our First Minister, in his three-weekly review on 22nd April, couldn’t indicate that we could be open before England and Scotland or at the very latest alongside England and Scotland on 17 May.

“UKHC is asking him to reopen the industry. Customers are keen; businesses are desperate; workers want stability and a release from uncertainty and anxiety about their jobs. An early opening would help key businesses survive, boost local communities and the Welsh economy as a whole and lift the mood of Wales tremendously.”