UKHospitality: popular package to help those hit hardest

Seats on the "red wall" stolen from Labour by the Tories at the recent general election, suffered the heaviest from the coronavirus pandemic, claim hospitality bosses, who are calling for more public help to struggling businesses.

A major financial support package would attract support from the majority of people in Britain, according to new data, giving a much-needed boost to the Redwoods constituencies, where the numbers shuttered by the largest restaurant closures in the country.

The figures have indicated that by 2020, the number of licensed venues in the UK will have dropped by more than 7.600.

The Red Gate constituencies had the highest rate of closures, with 17.2 per cent of the venues closed since 2015 and 9.3 per cent closed since December 2019.

Separate research last month found coronavirus rates in previous red rock-wall counties are declining more modestly than the country as a whole.

It would be a practical move both publicly and politically as more than half of the British public think we need more support in our sector during 2021.

Kate Nicholls, the boss of UKHospitality, said: "A bold and decisive package of support for the hospitality sector is a must in the Budget.