Hospitality business donates £10k to charity helping industry’s workers

Coach House firm’s chief hands over cash boost

A bar and restaurant company has donated £ 10,000 to the UK charity, Hospitality Action.

Buzzworks Holdings, which run the Coach House in Bridge of Weir, gave the cash as the country’s hospitality industry faces an uncertain future with all bars and restaurants currently closed in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The £10,000 donation will help the charity continue its support for people working within the hospitality industry, including a 24hour hotline for advice, counselling sessions on stress, addiction and abuse, alongside grants for help with debt or short- term money concerns.

Kenny Blair, managing director at Buzzworks Holdings, said: “Along with many others in the hospitality industr y , Buzzworks is feeling the impact of Covid-19, having to temporarily close our doors as instructed by the UK Government.

“We have been in the fortunate position however to retain the vast majority of our existing team – over 500 members of staff – through government grants across our portfolio.

“Everyone is in this crisis together and feeling its effect, so we are doing what we can to ensure all of our stakeholders are taken care of.

“Our suppliers will be paid and our staff will continue to receive their wages weekly.

“Where we haven’t been able to keep on five of our team members, due to their short time with Buzzworks, we have made sure that they receive payment in lieu of their notice and assistance to find other temporary work.

“We’re fortunate in that the business is in a good position to look after our stakeholders and we hope our small donation to Hospitality Action, which does fantastic work for those within the industry, will offset some of the hardship facing many across the UK.”

With more than 500 members of the Buzzworks team currently furloughed until further notice, many have gone on to offer their services to those in need.

Student NHS staff working part- time in the business have stepped up to assist GPs and hospitals, while many more have volunteered to help their local communities in any way they can.

Kenny added: “Where we can, Buzzworks are helping those volunteers find the appropriate job roles, whilst we continue to monitor developments regarding the virus and put plans in place to re- open stronger and better than ever - when the time is right and it is safe to do so.”

We hope our donation to Hospitality Action will offset some of the hardship