Bar group boss sees the ‘light at end of the tunnel’ getting brighter...

“THE light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter” following the Roadmap and Budget announcements, the chief executive of the bar group behind the Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba brands has said.

Rob Pitcher, who heads up Greater Manchesterheadquartered Revolution Bars Group, which operates 66 locations, made the comments after the government provided major updates over the last couple of weeks.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, the group said that although the date that it will be able to commence the reopening of our estate on April 12 ‘is later than we had hoped, the clarity that has been provided by the plan to lift lockdown restrictions enables us to fully prepare and manage the expectations of our colleagues’.

On that date the group is planning to open 20 bars and all 66 will be open on May 17.

The group said: “The subsequent additional support announced for the hospitality sector by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget... particularly the restart grants, continued reduction in business rates, low VAT on food and non-alcoholic drinks and other measures are also welcome.

“This support will give further certainty to all our stakeholders and allow the company, together with the wider hospitality industry, to regain a financial position from which it can again develop and thrive.”

Mr Pitcher said: “With the encouraging progress of the vaccination programme, clarity in the timetable to reopening, and the additional financial support measures announced by the Chancellor, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

“Notwithstanding that good news, our industry remains on the critical list and the continued support announced by the government is required to ensure that we can be in a position to return to growth and be a driver of national job creation, particularly for young people who are the lifeblood of our industry and who have been severely impacted.

“We are excited at the prospect of welcoming back our colleagues and guests.”