The Bar Journal

Who would have ever guessed one year ago, what situation we would be living in right now? 

Despite all positive predictions and forecasts at the start of the year, the COVID-19 pandemic has left a deep mark in the world’s history: we have witnessed critical moments of emotional disruption and material loss across different social sectors. Today we want to pay particular attention to hospitality, which faces the hardest consequences of new safety restrictions and improvised governmental policies. 

Let’s rewind little the events that happened since March 2020: under the emergency situation, governments adopted different measures at different times to restrict public mobility and avoid the spread of the virus. The first unexpected wave badly hit restaurants and bars which closed under the mantras ‘stay at home, respect social distance’, while public events and festivals were suspended leaving thousands of livelihoods at severe risk. 

Under these uncertain times, furlough schemes were available for several workers, but not for everyone: bartenders, waiters, chefs and any professional figure involved in the F&B industry reinvented themselves rather by applying for another occupation, or by pursuing creative initiatives. The increase of online masterclasses, virtual conferences and tasting spreading on the web was coincident to the opening of original activities at the local level. An example is represented by CreateCocktails, a dynamic company working within the drink industry in London: following the social restrictions on public events, the team found an innovative method to reinvest the expertise and talent of the staff by delivering crafted cocktails kits directly to people’s homes in the shortest amount of time.  http://www.createcocktails.com  

Despite the terrible circumstances, people around the world found various ideas to earn a living by going virtual, helping brands at home, earning knowledge and new skills or establishing new corporations within the food and drink industries. Encouraging stories of resilience and creativity were followed by an enjoyable summer, when social restrictions were finally eased and several venues (which resisted) could eventually reopen, although not in full capacity. The apparent control of the Covid-cases permitted to (literally) breathe in the open air for a few blissful months, but as summer ended, countries looked back at the medical statistics, and people looked back at the number of jobs lost. 

Considering the current restrictions to international travels, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) by the end of 2020 as many as 174m million jobs will be lost globally As its closest collaborative sector, also Hospitality envisages similar terrible consequences for its workforce: only in the UK the industry which turned £130bn in 2019, was expected to turn just £80bn this year, but with the impact of a second lockdown it could decrease to £65bn or less. Around 500,000 hospitality jobs have been lost as a result of the pandemic so far, while three-quarters of the businesses inside the British Institute of Innkeeping and the BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) reported making a loss. September and October 2020 saw the highest unemployment rates around the world with alarming numbers, particularly in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Hospitality workers protest in Parliament Square in London, Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.

This Autumn the determination and commitment to supporting each other in times of crisis resulted in disillusionment with confusing governmental policies: frustrated by the early closure of bars and restaurants and by the lack of a thoughtful plan for the winter season, on Monday 19th October hospitality workers in London organised a protest (HospoDemo) in front of Parliament Square against the first inadequate Job Support Scheme. The general social pressure felt around businesses and households and emphasised by demonstrating people with pans, spoons and shakers, was eventually heard by the UK officials, who announced to prolong the furlough scheme until March 30, 2021. In this climate, also the additional step to allow bars and pubs to do take-away drinks and meals, at least gives a lifeline to several businesses that would have otherwise collapsed under the payment of regular bills. 

Moreover, since the surge of Covid cases in the past few weeks, European countries opted to tighten rules and restrictions, generating widespread disappointment especially among those populations without serious state’s support: members of the Italian Hospitality network protested in several cities against their business’ financial loss and the lack of income, sustained by similar manifestations of bar and restaurant staff in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris. 

In these times Public Health and safety must remain the main priorities, but providing financial assistance to workers, is essential to ensure that hospitality will return to its full capacity as soon as the circumstances allow. To have an idea of the latest updates on global hospitality, follow the ‘Covid-19 Survival Guide for the Hospitality Industry’: a handful of webinars and news on business strategies, marketing and experiences from all over the world will keep you posted on the changes of a dynamic industry that is willing to adapt and move forward!

The Italspirits team is close to every hospitality worker: 

Keep Safe & Carry on!

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