More than 50 businesses have come together to support the Scotland-wide ‘Help Out Hospitality’ campaign, which is intended to highlight the scale of the crisis facing the industry and help drive footfall and bookings this winter.
“Scotland’s hospitality industry employs around 220,000 people, which makes up around 8.6% of the country’s total jobs,” says Barry Knight, director of food and drink procurement firm The Full Range, which is spearheading the campaign.
“The current cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on each and every operator, regardless of business size.
“The sector really is on life support if help is not provided to trade more efficiently through the winter trading period. We think our new ‘Help Out Hospitality’ will go some to supporting businesses where they need it most at this critical time.”
'Help Out Hospitality' has been designed to incorporate every aspect of the hospitality supply chain, including food and drink producers, allowing businesses to create consumer deals on both meals and overnight stays at a time that typically sees a drop in business.
Leveraging its position in the marketplace, The Full Range has been able to negotiate a support package across a wide range of suppliers and manufacturers that will allow its partner restaurants to run promotions throughout the month of November.
“By involving suppliers in the process, we can drive meaningful change - generating discounts at the beginning of the process while removing commission on the other end; a real win-win for the industry, at the same time satisfying consumer demand for great value deals,” adds Knight.
A new commission-free ‘Help Out Hospitality’ online platform has been launched for hospitality businesses to promote offers and attract direct bookings.
Businesses to have already signed up include Edinburgh’s Brewhemia; McKays Hotel in Perthshire; Links House at Royal Dornoch in Sutherland; Ingliston Country Club & Hotel in Renfrewshire; Tyneside Tavern and Mazzoli Italian Kitchen in East Lothian; and Banchory Lodge in Aberdeenshire.
“Help is precisely what the hospitality and tourism industry requires, says Richard Drummond, owner of McKays Hotel in Pitlochry, Perthshire.
“After the past three years, the closures, the uncertainties, staffing issues, and now spiralling costs.
“The Full Range came up with the ‘Help Out hospitality' initiative to support our industry, which the scheme sets out to achieve. However, it not only helps our industry, but it also helps everyone, our suppliers, and the end user, it allows us to pass the discount we receive, on to our customers.
“Hopefully, this will drive additional revenue to our businesses and offer our guests great savings, which is a win-win for all."
For more information about the ‘Help Out Hospitality’ campaign, to register and for a full list of participating businesses, click here.