Struggling tourism bosses call for a relaxation of Brexit rules
Struggling tourism bosses in Bristol are calling on the Government to relax the rules around Brexit.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association has made the plea as the hospitality sector continues to struggle to attract workers.
Before Brexit, it’s estimated that the UK hospitality sector employed more than 400,000 EU workers.
Currently EU employees make up 28 per cent of the UK’s hospitality workforce, compared to 42 per cent before the Covid pandemic struck and new Brexit rules took effect.
The call just a week after the head of Aardman Animations claimed that the exit from Europe had put the UK at a disadvantage.
Raphael Herzog, the chair of Bristol Hoteliers Association, said: “The past few years have been extremely challenging for the hospitality sector and there are still some huge difficulties to overcome.
“Brexit, the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis, particularly in terms of energy prices, have created the perfect storm.
“One of the biggest issues for us remains recruitment in some key areas of our businesses, such as chefs, food and beverage staff, room attendants and so on, which is why we think it is time for the Government to look at relaxing some of the Brexit rules.”
He added: “This will help not only hotels and other hospitality providers, but many other sectors which have also been struggling with staff shortages, to help get Britain’s businesses back on their feet.
“News reports are full of stories of staff shortages, from bus and coach drivers to care providers, which is leading to hospital beds being blocked because people are not able to go home because there is not the community care services available to them, largely because of staff shortages.
“The country is on its knees because of a shortage of staff in so many sectors, which is why we are urging the Government to open up the EU borders more and give many British businesses the helping hand many of them so badly need.”
