Warning of looming jobs crisis County tourism sector hit hard by pandemic
NORTH Somerset is facing an ‘ employment crisis’ in the leisure and tourism industry as a result of coronavirus, council chiefs are warning.
During the pandemic – and due to the two lockdowns and a raft of stringent restrictions – 140 major events have had to be cancelled across the district this year, from Weston’s annual beach race to the November illuminated carnival.
And whereas the first lockdown was tough, businesses did have a chance to claw back some of the vital missed trade when it lifted in July.
The second lockdown due to rising coronavirus cases has been an equally bitter pill and compounded the difficult situation already being faced by many.
At a time when the district remains under national lockdown, with a move to Tier 3 restrictions on Wednesday, currently there are 3,430 staff employed in non essential retail off work due to their businesses being closed.
There are also a further 6,475 people who normally work in hospitality, plus 1,605 people who work providing accommodation, unable to work due to their businesses being shut across the district.
In leisure and support services there are 1,775 people unable to work and in the district’s entertainment and visitor attractions 865 people are not able to do their daily roles.
Aside from the summer, the run up to Christmas is one of the busiest seasons for the hospitality industry.
With North Somerset due to move to Tier 3 restrictions, many of those hospitality businesses will have to remain closed for now -
unless they can offer a takeaway service.
North Somerset Council executive member for economy, business and tourism, Councillor Mark Canniford said: “These are the very personal impacts of lockdown number two.
“In terms of how many are going to lose their jobs as a result of this, we don’t know.
“But there will be job losses.” The impact of the lockdown on businesses, with some having to shed staff and others closing all together, has also seen claims for benefits across North Somerset soar.
The district has seen a staggering increase of 142 per cent in claims for Universal Credit as people struggle to make ends meet.
“This is primarily young people,” said Mr Canniford, “which is particularly worrying.”
The lockdown continues to batter the district’s creative industries,
“The south west region is anticipated to lose 28 per cent of all its creative jobs,” he said.
“There are 43,000 jobs in creative industries in the region, from people working in arts organisations to theatres and community projects.”
Latest figures also show that 80 per cent of those working in the leisure and tourism industry in North Somerset are currently furloughed, compared to a national average of 30 per cent.
The furlough scheme has now been extended until the end of March, but there are serious concerns that when the funding runs out, jobs will be lost.
“We have such large numbers of people working in the leisure and tourism industry in North Somerset,” said Mr Canniford.
“We do not know in full what the knock on effects of the second lockdown and following restrictions will be.
“But there is no doubt that North Somerset will be facing an employment crisis in the leisure and tourism industry in the spring.”
All is not lost though, says Mr Canniford, with the council already putting in place plans to help the district – which welcomes in excess of seven million visitors a year – bounce back.
The council has already begun drawing up an ‘economic recovery vision’.