Shakespeare's England Chief Executive writes to MP calling for additional funding for Warwickshire's hospitality sector in Tier 3

They are also calling on the Government to bring the planned review of tiers forward a week to December 9
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The area’s senior figure in tourism warns that many businesses may be forced to stay closed ahead of the Christmas season unless the Government offers increased support and brings forward plans to re-assess Coventry and Warwickshire’s Tier 3 rating.

Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England and lead of the Culture and Tourism Business Group of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, says in a letter to Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford and the Government’s Business Minister, that placing the entire county of Warwickshire in Tier 3 restrictions from December 2 means many are now in a battle to survive.

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Helen calls on the Government to bring the planned review of tiers forward a week to December 9 and to assess South Warwickshire under its own functioning geography, and to substantially increase the funding available for businesses forced to close to make it financially viable for them reopen for the profitable Christmas season and to protect them through the first quarter of 2021.

Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England and lead of the Culture and Tourism Business Group of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Photo suppliedHelen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England and lead of the Culture and Tourism Business Group of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Photo supplied
Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England and lead of the Culture and Tourism Business Group of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Photo supplied

Helen said: “Tourism, hospitality and all our heritage venues and attractions have been devastated by the effects of the pandemic.

"Many were just about seeing a pin prick of light at the end of a very long tunnel and looking towards welcoming audiences back."

“This has been taken away yet again leaving many with no other decision than to remain closed into the New Year. They need to protect what little viability they have left and cannot risk potentially opening to operate at a loss just adding to their problems.

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“With this time of the year being so important for building the cash to finance them through the winter off season, the major concern is that many will simply not reopen.

“Even if we were re-graded to Tier 2 after 16 December, this still prevents the ‘Christmas bubbles’ enjoying Christmas lunch out or mixing together anywhere inside other than their own home.

“Our hotels and restaurants have again had thousands of pounds worth of business wiped off their books.

"It will also be far too late to change plans yet again even to welcome same households or existing bubbles.

"The damage is done and now it is all about survival.

“The sector may be seen as part of the problem at the moment but moving forward we are definitely a big part of the solution.”