The hospitality sector is one of many British industries suffering a sharp decline in bookings as the government launches new guidelines to limit public gatherings.
‘Love Greatest British Hospitality’ a collaboration between industry sectors has been launched by to help support the those directly affected, and inspire consumers and provide extra paid work for freelancers and creative, whilst rewarding the public throughout the extended isolation periods. Whilst a growing number of restaurants have switched their offering to home delivery as a short-term measure, it may not be long before kitchens are required to close through increased distancing measures and self isolation demands, making it difficult to predict how this unprecedented situation may impact the hospitality industry longer term.
In light of this challenge, a leading hospitality support provider who has also been affected has teamed up with other industry leaders, providers, and brands with a new initiative aimed at supporting independent chefs, cookery schools and food producers throughout the COVID-19 epidemic.
The ‘Greatest British Company,’ provider of gourmet gift packages, has offered to donate all monies from their gift certificates for customers to purchase immediately and redeem once venues reopen. 10% of all sales will immediately be donated to the industry charity ‘Hospitality Action’ to go directly towards supporting sufferers related to COVID-19. Other funds raised will go to help industry creatives and freelancers now struggling for income.
It is hoped that this initiative will help those in immediate need in the industry, and longer term support restaurants and cookery schools to raise much-needed funds when they re-open, to help encourage increased redemptions and support from the public as soon as they are able.
The Greatest British Company is also aiming to shine a light firmly on chefs and venues by featuring exclusive content from participating chefs during the lockdown, giving online users access to virtual-chef-tips, special interviews, videos, recipes, cookery school home-cooking tips and virtual food demos, supported by open live Q&A sessions, to inspire and motive the public, whilst they are forced to self isolate.
Founder James Day commented: “All our trade customers and partners are understandably deeply concerned about their own customers, their business and their industry right now. They seek clarity and support.
“They want continuity and focus. Recent industry reports project the potential loss of over one million jobs in our industry, which is unimaginable. The long term effects will be far reaching and devastating. Despite recent announcements by the Government of further support, not all will be saved and this will of course lead to permanent closures of some businesses – which is something we are extremely keen to avoid for all.”
The Greatest British Company has been operating ‘GourmetXperiences’ gift certificates for a number of years, each aimed at celebrating the unique gourmet gifts available throughout the UK’s most innovative independent chef led hotels, restaurants, cookery schools and food producers.
During the pandemic, monetary gift certificates will be available on-line, redeemable at an increasing number of specially selected venues nationwide once restrictions are lifted. Each sale will help raise much needed funds. Each venue will receive 100% of the certificate face value on redemption, going directly to the individuals who work within the businesses. They will each be invited to create unique ‘GourmetXperiences’ to help encourage spend of the gift certificates, which will also be sold on line. Each ‘GourmetXperience’ aimed at celebrating Greatest British hospitality, and seasonal, sustainable produce and service. Interested to feature your venue? Contact us here or below
A number of leading brands and suppliers have also already added their support to the initiative through sponsorship, with 20% going directly to Hospitality Action, and the remainder supporting industry professionals including freelance writers, producers and creatives who will help generate virtual-content to be made available to those who purchase the gift certificates. Trade partner brand supporters to be announced shortly. Interested to nominate your brand support? Contact us here or below.
The leading charity within our sector is long established Hospitality Action whom we have supported many times in the past. Their dedicated teams have helped an immeasurable number of industry employees combat issues from within, and outside the sector. They are best placed to channel much needed funds to immediate areas where needed. So we are donating 10% of all monetary gift certificates sales directly to them.
Interested to nominate your brand support? Contact us here or below. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The leading charity within our sector is long established Hospitality Action whom we have supported many times in the past. Their dedicated teams have helped an immeasurable number of industry employees combat issues from within, and outside the sector. They are best placed to channel much needed funds to immediate areas where needed. So we are donating 10% of all sales direct to them.
Mark Lewis, Hospitality Action Chief Executive added “The hospitality industry is at the forefront of social engagement. Removing this for understandable reasons, also removes the ability for us all to share and re-assure with others. This initiative helps provide a positive solution to the current challenges we all face, whilst delivering immediate support for the industry, alongside on-going inspirations and ultimate celebrations and rewards for all, once restrictions are lifted. We are delighted to support Greatest British Hospitality ‘GourmetXperiences’ and welcome industry involvement.”
Future. Once venues begin to re-open, all participating chefs, and hospitality providers will be encouraged to reward purchasers with unique elements as part of their ‘GourmetXperience’ to add value and thank them for their industry support.
James added: “The challenges facing us all are set to last quite some time, so at this stage we’re not placing any time limits on redemptions so that purchasers can rest assured that whilst these challenges remain, they can redeem at any time, however long it takes. From Summer right through to Christmas and into 2021 if needed – lets all hope not!
“We are also looking at creating a printed guide featuring and thanking all our partners and promoting their ‘GourmetXperiences’ to help raise further funds. Profits will be donated to industry charity Hospitality Action who will support COVID-19 sufferers directly as needed via funds raised.”
Venues seeking to participate in the initiative or customers seeking to buy a gift certificates can find out more at www.gourmet-experiences.co.uk
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