London’s missing workforce is making this a very dark summer, says top chef Kerridge
LONDON’S restaurant sector face a “very dark” summer with many businesses pinning their survival on a hoped-for autumn bounce-back and the return of office workers, a top chef warned today.
Tom Kerridge, a Michelin-starred chef whose first London restaurant Kerridge’s Bar and Grill opened in the Corinthia Hotel in 2018, said many businesses were struggling because the “workforce is missing”.
The 46-year-old chef said he was “trying to stay positive” but hospitality is a “hard business” to be in.
His intervention comes after a poll for the Standard revealed only 68 per cent of London workers were expecting to return to the office by December.
Kerridge said: “There is a workforce that is missing, it is not just travel and tourism. A lot of people are working from home and aren’t coming in. We have that bullish attitude in London, that while it’s difficult we’re pleased and proud to be open through this difficult time. Perhaps in September and October the workforce starts coming back and people look towards Christmas. We’re trying to stay positive even though it is a very, very dark and hard business and environment to be in right now.”
Kerridge, who hit the headlines after venting his frustration when 27 diners failed to turn up for their bookings on Saturday, predicted more restaurants would begin to implement a financial penalty for “no-shows”.
“I don’t think there should be an issue anymore with people paying a non-refundable deposit, or a deposit or a cancellation fee. It’s common courtesy and manners to let someone know you’re not coming. You wouldn’t do it to a friend if you were going round their house, if they were cooking dinner. You wouldn’t just not turn up.”
Kerridge spoke as tickets for his latest event — Pub in the Park’s Drive-in Garden Party — went on sale today. The events, taking place in September, will see groups of guests park in their own socially distanced spot to be fed by top chefs, accompanied by music from the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Soul II Soul and Keane.