Since the onset of the pandemic, few sectors have been hit as hard as the hospitality industry. It’s been a harrowing 18 months, punctuated by long lockdowns, uncertain furlough periods and confusion over track and trace. Some businesses managed to adapt – others sadly closed down.
But as restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels try to get back in the black and create some semblance of normality for their customers, we must remember that they still need our support.
National Hospitality Day, which takes place on Saturday 18th September, is an annual event that celebrates and supports the country’s most beloved hospitality businesses – and never has it been more vital that we all get involved.
“The pandemic has brought the hospitality industry to its knees,” say the event’s organisers. “By supporting your favourite local place on National Hospitality Day, you’ll be helping a struggling business back on its feet. You’ll also be supporting a coalition of the main industry charities who support those hardest hit by the events of the last 18 months.”
These charities include The Drinks Trust, the Licenced Trade Charity, Springboard and our own adopted charity Hospitality Action. The latter is a cause very close to our hearts – throughout the pandemic, they provided financial assistance to those who work (or did work) in the UK hospitality industry.
At a time when many chefs, kitchen staff, waiting staff and Front of House team members faced long periods of furlough, job uncertainty and even redundancy (at least 30,000 jobs were lost in 2020), charities like Hospitality Action were a lifeline.
“Hospitality Action is a charity close to our hearts” comments Founder of GB GourmetXperiences James Day “being directly involved in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, I have seen first-hand how individuals are affected by the stresses of day to day work within the industry, leading to mental health issues and substance abuse. The past 18 months have amplified these issues. The team at Hospitality Action and their supporters did an amazing job rallying around to support the industry, directly saving lives. We supported them in our own little way by donating % of the value on our Love Greatest British Hospitality gift cards and GourmetXperience.club membership, donating over £500 so far, and are always seeking ways to do more. The National Hospitality Day is another amazing initiative.”
“This year’s event will be a collective shout-out for the places we’ve all missed, and a financial shot in the arm for a sector that’s been hit hardest by COVID,” says Mark Lewis, Chief Executive of Hospitality Action.
“The common aim is for participating businesses to show the industry at its best: creative, entertaining, nourishing, engaging – at the hub of our communities, and providing jobs and income for the country. And it will provide a chance for the country to say: ‘welcome back, we’ve missed you’ by supporting its favourite places.”
So what can you do to help your local this September? Whether it’s a pub, bar, restaurant or hotel, we want to encourage you to celebrate and support your favourite spots – here’s how:
- Go out – throughout September, but especially on the day itself, organisers encourage everyone to go out and enjoy their favourite meal or drink. Choose your venue, visit their website and check if you need to book; a busy September could make their entire year.
- Shout about it – had a great meal or enjoyed a wonderful evening out? Tell people about it. Promoting a venue you love on social media really does help them, and if you can leave them a great review on Trip Advisor or Google, even better.
- Make a donation – make a one-off donation from £2 to £250, or choose your own amount. Your donation will go to the industry charities who are helping to keep hospitality on its feet; or you can do something to raise funds for your chosen venue and pay them directly.
- Treat yourself – when we spend many years living in one place, we never truly appreciate it. So become a tourist and treat yourself to one night in your chosen hotel (or two, if you fancy!). Visit local attractions and rediscover what makes your town or city great. If you need inspiration, we’ve got some fantastic Gourmet gifts in our GourmetXperiences shop.
- Buy vouchers – lots of venues offer gift vouchers, and what could be a better Christmas gift for someone you love than a memorable experience? To make it even easier, you can buy gift cards and vouchers in our shop to redeem at some of the country’s best restaurants, hotels and cookery schools.
It’s impossible to imagine life without a celebratory meal with our family, a crisp G&T in a scenic pub garden, a swift beer at our favourite local or well-deserved hotel stay. But if we all do our bit, we can help to ensure these treasured places not only survive, but thrive – for many years to come.
Now that’s something worth celebrating!
Order the Chefs At Home charity book by Hospitality Action & we will donate directly!
Chefs At Home Charity Recipe Book
With over 100 recipes, from brunches to bakes and veggie delights to meat feasts, this isn’t a regular cookbook. It’s a cookbook dedicated to every chef, waiter, housekeeper and manger. Every concierge, receptionist and kitchen porter. Every sommelier, bartender, catering assistant and cook across the country.
including Tom Kerridge, Jamie Oliver, Angela Hartnett
100% of royalties from the sale of this book will go to Hospitality Action to help offer vital support to all who work within the hospitality industry in the UK.
