Staff shortage hits Oban’s hospitality sector

A SHORTAGE of staff in Oban’s hospitality sector is causing concern, writes David McPhee.

Dozens of vacancies remain unfilled and a man who has worked in the industry for four decades says this has been one of the most difficult years in a long time.

Allan McKie said: ‘I am just concerned about the number of vacancies in the hospitality sector in the area and how difficult it is to recruit at the current time.

‘I have been in the industry for 40 years. I think this year is as difficult as I have seen it for many long years. It’s so difficult to get staff. We are seeing establishments taking people for the sake of providing a service.

‘I am not knocking them because at the end of the day we have to provide a service, but it’s about quality.

‘I think it’s great that we have companies wanting to invest in the area, but there’s no point in investing in businesses and a very good product if you don’t have the people to manage that business.

‘There’s no point in having the nicest place in the world if you don’t have the staff to service it. Investing in people is just as important as investing in your property. We have been relying on the EU workforce, but that well seems to be drying up and Brexit could be an issue.’

A study released in March of this year, Labour Migration in the Hospitality Sector, revealed that 13.8 per cent of Scotland’s hospitality workforce are EU nationals.

Mr McKie added: ‘I am just fearful because the foreign workforce have been coming across and have been a revelation, but they have dried up or for whatever reason they are fearful of coming here.’

Mr McKie said people are also using hospitality as a stepping stone to a different career path, saying: There are great opportunities in the industry and great careers and we have to sell that message.’

Andrew Spence, chief executive of BID4Oban, said: ‘BID4Oban is aware of the shortage of staff in the hospitality sector in Oban.

‘This is obvious from the numerous businesses advertising current vacancies. It is not just hospitality that is suffering but also retail with businesses struggling to recruit.

‘It is difficult to find a solution to this situation. It may be that businesses need to get together to share best practice.’