A campaign backed by well-known chefs and business leaders which aims to help to save the hospitality industry could be soon discussed in Parliament.
Restaurateurs Raymond Blanc, Angela Hartnett and Tom Kerridge are among those urging the Government to focus its efforts on helping restaurants, hotels and pubs to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
And a petition calling for the Government to appoint a Minister for Hospitality to help drive the recovery of the sector has now reached well over the 100,000 signatures needed for a chance to have the request officially discussed.
Local names too have signed up to the campaign - headed by Pig restaurant and hotel chain founder Robin Hutson - which has been gathering pace in its efforts to pressurise the Government to act.
Local supporters are Tommy Mark from the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel in Blanchland; Norrie Oswald from InterContinental Hotels which runs the likes of Hotel Indigo and Crowne Plaza in Newcastle, and Jonathan Berrand of JCB Tourism Solutions in Tynemouth.
The petition now has 144,286 signatures, soaring past the 100,000 target needed for Parliament to consider it for debate.
So far, in response to the petition, the Government said that with the hospitality sector being broad - ranging from arts and entertainment to pubs, cafes and restaurants - liability for it is shared by ministers in various departments.
It said: "The Government recognises the importance of the UK’s hospitality sector, which plays a vital role in supporting local communities up and down the country and the UK economy."
It added that the industry has helped shape the Government’s "extensive" package of business support measures, including the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, the job retention scheme, reduced VAT and rates relief as well grants and support schemes.
For more about the petition see here.
The hospitality sector is the third largest employer in the country and many businesses are currently said to be a crisis point.
To help give the North East hospitality industry a much-needed boost, The Chronicle has launched a free Order Local listing service to help support restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.
It is also encouraging local people to support businesses around Newcastle and the wider region the run-up to Christmas.
