Be Kind, Keep Safe & Have Fun!
By supporting our local pubs, inns and restaurants we can ensure that the hospitality industry in the Ribble Valley will bounce back better and more robust than ever, writes Tedd Walmsley
It’s almost unbelievable to think that’s its six months or more since our award-winning restaurants pubs and cafes served their last meals.
Couple this with the draconian tier systems in place last year and the first lockdown, and I’m sure you’ll agree our hospitality industry has been hit very badly.
I have been both amazed and inspired by the resilience shown by the industry during the pandemic and also their innovation and creativity.
We’ve had everything from brownies by post to full Michelin-star food to recreate at home and everything in between, such as takeaway Sunday lunches, some quietly supporting local charities along the way. I applaud and respect them all.
Now at last we can see the signs of lockdown easing – the first re-opening of those with outdoor space that can satisfy the government rulings on social distancing measures.
At the risk of controversy, why has the hospitality industry been the scapegoat of unproven accusations of venues being a source of spreading Covid-19? Many of them have since spent even more money on developing their outside space and making it safe for our return. I therefore read with horror in the national press that Ribble Valley Borough Council had added even more draconian measures on the wearing of face masks outdoors which appears to go against the central government advice. I can only hope that by the time you have read this article the council will have done the right thing and stood down on this decision. We need no more hurdles in the way of re-opening.
It’s hard enough as it is to bounce back from the enforced closures, the retraining of staff, new teams and finding new ways of keeping us safe – this will all take time and money and I ask that we play our part by being patient and kind as we return to our favourite eateries over the next few weeks.
Can I ask if time and budgets allow, that you will support all our local businesses as much as you can. So much is at stake for both venues themselves and of course the supply chains and staff of all those involved in the hospitality industry. Let’s hope and pray that the weather is kind and as the lockdown continues to ease we have the best summer here in the Ribble Valley.
With your support hospitality will re-emerge strongly bringing more people to the area and helping the wider economy. Tell all your friends and relatives to support our friends in the industry and remember to be kind!
