Julian Welcomes Re-Opening of York’s Vital Tourism Sector
June 26, 2020
Julian Sturdy MP has welcomed the re-opening of the tourism sector on 4 July, giving a boost for over 1100 businesses in York, and called on people to show their support for businesses following a challenging three months. This follows the release of figures that show the Government’s Job Retention Scheme has supported 24,000 jobs across the city for the past three months.
As part of this careful easing, from Saturday 4 July, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to Covid Secure guidelines, and some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen if they can do so safely.
Julian is urging people to show their support to businesses reopening in York, to help them bounceback.
The Government will also be publishing detailed guidance to help tourist attractions and accommodation venues to re-open safely, such as by social distancing and cleaning protocols. A new industry standard will also be introduced by Visit England, so that the public can easily see if the venue is carrying out the new rules.
Ahead of Tuesday’s announcement, Julian had contacted pubs, cafes and restaurants within his constituency asking for their views regarding what measures they believed to be necessary to ensure their businesses were commerically viable upon reopening. Julian passed on this feedback to the Government ahead of the loosening of social distancing measures and will continue to push for further measures that were recommended to be adopted. As well as the many businesses in the hospitality industry, Julian has also been lobbying Ministers on behalf of businesses throughout the supply chain including local breweries and commercial food suppliers who have felt the effects of lockdown.
The Government has promised that they will keep all measures under constant review.
Commenting, Julian Sturdy MP said:
“Thanks to the efforts of the British people to control the virus, I am delighted we have created the space to allow people to take a much needed holiday and enjoy everything yORK has to offer.
“I hope people get out to support the tourism and hospitality businesses which are reopening and which are so vital to our local economy and jobs.
“Safety is of paramount importance and it is vital that social distancing rules and safety guidance are adhered to, and local people as well as our guests feel safe and I will continue to press that.”
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden said:
“This is a significant moment for the UK’s fantastic tourism and hospitality businesses and the bounce back can now begin on July 4th. Across the country people have been looking forward to taking a day trip, weekend break or staycation following their efforts in lockdown over the past three months. Britain deserves a break and I hope people get out, support tourism businesses and enjoy a break safely.”
