Recover, Restart, Redesign resource kit - Business Services

Over 150 business owners and operators from across the East Midlands took part in Recover, Restart, Redesign – safely reopening the Hospitality sector an online conference organised by the University of Derby.

Key themes that emerged were :

Raising the £51k rateable value threshold
Relaxation of the 2m social distancing rule (in line with other countries such as Netherlands, Republic of Ireland etc)
Continuation of the successful Job Retention Scheme (furlough) until the end of 2020 for businesses that can’t reopen
Licensing will also be a key issue. Businesses urged local authorities to consider the fast tracking of pavement licenses to counter the issue of indoor restrictions. Those businesses who have ‘pivoted’ to an ‘off trade’ delivery model must also make sure they have the correct license in place.

The conference was an action-focused virtual conference for hospitality and food and drink businesses. It included presentations from industry speakers and key government departments about how best to prepare venues for a safe re-opening following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why was the conference is needed?

The hospitality sector has been one of the worst-affected by Covid-19. As the UK Government begins to ease lockdown, a great deal of lateral thinking and planning will be required to help businesses open again.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has set up a taskforce to draw up protocols and work co-operatively with stakeholders to inform hospitality sub-sectors on how best to prepare venues for safe re-opening.

UK Hospitality will also be publishing a series of protocols aimed at supporting the safe reopening of hospitality venues, looking closely at sub-sectors such as coffee shops, food service management, late night pubs and quick-service restaurants.

As a university which specialises in hospitality management education, the conference bought all of this advice together in the virtual conference to help businesses get clarity during this confusing and challenging time.