Hospitality bosses said they are “disappointed” the latest Welsh Government Coronavirus Control Plan still has no clarity for indoor hospitality and only approximate dates on opening outdoors.
Last week, First Minister Mark Drakeford was able to layout a partial roadmap for the Welsh economy - with some dates for retail, parts of tourism, gyms and outdoor hospitality. But there was no update for indoor hospitality with many operators not viably able to trade until they can fully reopen.
There was a welcome though to news that curfews and alcohol bans will not be part of the restrictions going forward.
Catch 22 Brasserie in Valley, Anglesey, said: “For us there is no point to open outdoors only, even if we had guaranteed sunshine from April we only have five tables outside.
“We understand the need to be hesitant with a date for opening, there are still lots of unknowns, but some sort of estimate would be appreciated. As it stands I think as long as we get four weeks notice minimum to open up again we will be okay.
“Our biggest issue at the moment is recruitment, we’re going to open right in the full flow of a busy summer season again but with no actual opening date in sight nobody knows when to start hiring and because most people in hospitality are covered by furlough at the moment, no one is going to leave their current role.”
Nathan Cousins, from St George’s Hotel in Llandudno, said: “The change in alert levels from four into three is a positive sign.
“Even though Wales is moving in the right direction, I’m still very disappointed that the First Minister is unable to confirm dates yet when hotels can reopen and operate in a more normal manner.
“We still are unable to plan our opening strategy as we have no idea when we will be able to reopen.”
Chris Rigg, from The Bay Hop micro-pub in Colwyn Bay, said: “The lack of a date isn’t really a concern for us.
“We could do with about three weeks’ notice to plan and restock, but as we are quite a distance from that at this point, it doesn’t matter yet.
“It is really good to see that there is a framework of rules already set out for when we do reopen, though – previously, we have had a date but no confirmation of how to operate within restrictions.
“That led to us reopening a week late after the first lockdown, so hopefully we can avoid any unnecessary delay this time.”
David Chapman, executive director for UKHospitality Cymru, said: “We’re disappointed not to have heard when hospitality outdoors, and then indoors, can definitely reopen.
“It’s crucial that we have dates to work towards and that they are as soon as possible, so that we have clarity to enable businesses to plan their reopening and re-establishment.
“However, the easing of unfounded and unwanted restrictions on our licensed pub, restaurant and hotel businesses is a clear victory for UKHospitality Cymru, for the industry’s track record of responsibility and for common sense.”
The new Coronavirus Control Plan said: "The much higher transmissibility of the Kent variant makes mixing indoors even more risky. Allowing for indoor mixing will therefore need to wait until rates are very low and vaccines are rolled out to more of the population."
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