Hoteliers in Bristol have said there are more than 1,000 hospitality job vacancies in and around the city, and have backed introducing new visa schemes for young EU workers to plug the gaps.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA), which represents 40 hotels in the city, said the hospitality sector had been “hit hard” by the impact of Brexit and the Covid-19 lockdowns, with many businesses struggling to recruit staff back to pre-pandemic levels.
The group estimated there are currently around 700 chef vacancies, 400 housekeeping positions not filled and around 350 bar staff needed in the greater Bristol area, which covers an area of around 15 miles. Meanwhile, trade body UKHospitality has also said vacancies in the sector are still 48% higher than they were before the coronavirus crisis.
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It comes amid reports that the Government is in talks with some EU countries and Switzerland over possibly allowing waiters, baristas and au pairs aged between 18 and 30 to come to work in the UK for two years, without sponsor or salary threshold requirements.
According to reports, which first appeared in The Times, it is thought any agreement reached could also be reciprocal, and allow young people in Britain to travel and work in other countries more easily.
The UK already has youth mobility visa schemes with ten non-EU countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Iceland, and Downing Street is said to be looking at extending the schemes to Europe to improve the economy, without raising record levels of net migration.
Raphael Herzog, chair of the Bristol Hoteliers Association, said: “Anything which can help us with recruitment the staff we need to get our businesses fully up and running again is welcome and will make such a difference. We would also like the visa scheme to go beyond the EU, and be extended to the likes of India, as well as extend the roles it would apply to where we are currently experiencing shortages.
“I understand the current proposals would cover positions such as baristas and waiters, but we would like it to be extended to cover chefs, therapists, room attendants and others.”
In July, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced visa application fees and the immigration health surcharge, which gives migrants access to the NHS, were set to rise, which he said would bring in more than £1bn in funding for other areas of public spending.
Mr Herzog warned the move could deter people from pursuing permanent careers in hospitality, adding: “We have been struggling for years now to find the staff numbers we need to get our businesses back up and running properly again, providing guests and customers with the levels and standards of service they expect.
“We welcome any support, of course, but do urge the Government to not just think of quick-fix, short-term, solutions but listen to business owners and help us provide some long-term stability which will increase confidence in the sector, and that will be beneficial for all, since hospitality makes such a significant contribution to the UK economy.”
The Government declined to comment on the reports about the short-term visa schemes when approached by BristolLive, but on the surcharge a Home Office spokesperson said: "It is right and fair to increase the Immigration Health Surcharge and visa application fees so we can fund vital public services and allow wider funding to contribute to public sector pay."
