Businesses from Buckinghamshire’s Tourism and Hospitality sector met with the county’s five MPs in early February to hear about the impact of the pandemic on the sector and to highlight specific issues facing businesses.

The MPs in attendance were:

• Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan MP - Amersham and Chesham
• Rob Butler MP - Aylesbury
• Joy Morrissey MP – Beaconsfield
• Greg Smith MP – Buckingham
• Steve Baker MP – Wycombe

Among the businesses in attendance were Hartwell House, the Swan Theatre and the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, whose representatives spoke about the effects of the pandemic on their businesses and the wider sector.

Key challenges explained

It was an engaging and open meeting, with some key points being raised. Among the challenges and negatives mentioned were:

• Ongoing fixed costs, accumulating debt, low cash reserves and much lower revenues
• Responding to ever-changing rules
• Inbound tourism is really suffering and has slipped through the gaps. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have already published plans to support inbound tourism.
• Concerns about debts and rent, as many of these need to be paid back by the end of March
• Capacity is an issue – if businesses have to return with restrictions in place, this will continue to impact revenues
• The industry will continue to need financial support as it gets back on its feet slowly
• Theatres rely on lots of different components coming together and don’t see things returning to normal until 2022, for reasons including consumer appetite and insurance

There were also positives taken, including:

• The adaptation some businesses have shown to pivot activity into takeaways, deliveries, virtual experiences etc.
• Andrew Smith of Pinewood Studios detailing plans for the Pinewood Studios Experience, training and skills hub and new production facilities, which, pending planning approval, will create 3,500 jobs.
• The Furlough scheme was greatly appreciated by everyone and many call for this to continue. A disadvantage of the Furlough scheme was noted, that being that it meant staff were unable to work on any aspect of the business in the background. The flexible furlough scheme was thought to have worked better in this regard.

The numbers behind the impact on the Tourism and Hospitality sector in Buckinghamshire

Caroline Perkins of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) gave a presentation detailing the statistics behind the impact of the pandemic so far, and forecasts and thoughts about what the future may look like for the sector.

View the presentation here.

COVID-19 Business Support Hub

Visit the Buckinghamshire Business First COVID-19 Support Hub for the latest information and support for businesses.