A Supplier Alliance has been created by the trade body for the UK’s hospitality sector to pressure the Government into supporting hospitality supplier businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic. 

The group, which draws on UKHospitality’s supplier membership base alongside non-members, will push for government support for suppliers in line with operators, which it says are “intrinsic” to the functioning of the sector and will be “critical” to its successful restart.

Its aim will be to ensure that any ongoing measures in support of hospitality covers the entire business network.

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “The effect of the COVID-19 crisis has been acutely felt by hospitality businesses, and the impact is felt right across the sector. There are many associated businesses which rely on the sector for their livelihood and these have been hammered just as hard.

“Supplier businesses within hospitality are just as wide-ranging, varied and dynamic as the venues themselves. Our sector supports businesses as disparate as EPOS companies, licensing solicitors or even linen specialists. The shutdown of the hospitality sector has meant that all these businesses have been forced into hibernation as well.

“The Government has recognised the damage that pubs, restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs have suffered and have acted quickly and decisively to provide support and save jobs. There are many businesses integral to the hospitality sector, facing the same existential crisis and they need the Government’s support now.”

The Supplier Alliance has been launched simultaneously with a survey to suppliers to grasp the scale of the problems facing supplier businesses and the urgent need for support.