Parliamentary group launches consultation on towns and cities

An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) has launched new consultation as part of its new inquiry on saving the UK’s town and city centres post Covid-19.

The Hospitality and Tourism APPG inquiry is taking a holistic review of the future of hospitality and tourism businesses in town and city centres across the UK.

The consultation tackles a diverse range of issues including business operation, business taxation and how to rebuild these vital sectors in a green and sustainable way.

It would welcome contributions from businesses, trade associations, think-tanks and other relevant bodies to assist with the final report.

Oral evidence sessions began last week, with significant engagement from MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.

The final report aims to set out the support that hospitality and tourism businesses in town and city centres need in the short term, along with a series of recommendations for government on how to maximise the potential of these sectors by creating a positive trading environment.

‘It is clear that a great deal of hard work is needed to rebuild the economy post-Covid,’ said APPG chair, Steve Double.

‘Rather than being an insurmountable challenge, it gives us an opportunity to rebuild a better, greener system that works for the country. The hospitality and tourism sectors have felt the worst impacts of the pandemic, but in the long term, these sectors are well placed to drive the UK’s economic growth and recovery.

‘As we did with our Pathways to Recovery report last year, the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism will be working with businesses from across both sectors to create another sector-endorsed blueprint for government. We hope that all organisations with an interest in hospitality and tourism will submit written evidence. Our final report will produce wide-ranging recommendations on how to rebuild hospitality and tourism in town and cities when the vaccine rollout is completed.’

To respond to the consultation, please contact Richard Clifford on rclifford@ukhospitality.org.uk