A key figure in Northern Ireland’s hospitality scene spearheading a call for government support to overcome a crisis in staff and skills shortages to secure the future of Northern Ireland’s vibrant hospitality industry.
John Trainor of the Balmoral Hotel in Dunmurry and Stix & Stones restaurants in Belfast is highlighting that the labour crisis affecting hospitality businesses across the region is one of the most significant challenges alongside the escalating cost of doing business.
The hospitality business leader is urging elected representatives and statutory bodies to act swiftly and provide the necessary support to protect and enhance an industry that delivers more than £1M per annum per restaurant to the local economy.
The call to action supports the launch of an impact report on the hugely successful inaugural Ireland’s Next Top Chef competition and the findings shed light on the challenges faced by the hospitality sector.
Compiled in collaboration with industry experts, chefs, and business professionals, the report found that the most significant challenges are the burden of a 20% hospitality VAT rate, and inflationary pressures such as rising energy prices and the increased cost of food, drinks, and other essential supplies.
Insufficient staffing levels and a shortage of skilled workers, such as talented chefs, due to difficulties in attracting and retaining talent, and disproportionately high business rates were also highlighted as key challenges facing the industry.
Research conducted by Tourism NI last year further emphasised the industry’s struggle with recruitment and retention, citing it as the most significant challenge alongside the escalating cost of doing business.
John Trainor, Event Director of Ireland’s Next Top Chef and Operational Director of Balmoral Hotel in Dunmurry and Stix & Stones restaurants in Belfast, says: “The local hospitality sector is not just a collection of businesses; it’s an integral part of our cultural and economic fabric.
“We contribute significantly to the local economy, supporting jobs, utilising local produce, and fostering a vibrant atmosphere in showcasing our rich culinary heritage and expertise to locals and visitors from across the globe.
“Yet, I’m deeply concerned about the challenges our industry faces, where the survival of this vibrant sector is at a critical juncture. Excessive VAT rates, inflationary pressures, and critical labour shortages, especially in chefs, pose significant threats to the survival of businesses in the hospitality sector.
“I call on the government to acknowledge the gravity of these issues and provide the essential support needed to secure Northern Ireland’s hospitality future. By working together, we can ensure our industry is sustained and thrives to further enhance our positive impact on the local economy.”
The impact report on Ireland’s Next Top Chef competition was launched to industry leaders and some of the most prominent names in Ireland’s culinary scene at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 22nd November.
Niall McKenna, echoing the sentiment, expressed the challenges faced by the local hospitality sector, said: “Navigating through the complexities of the hospitality sector, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of the challenges facing our industry.
“Our hospitality businesses are grappling with unprecedented debt, a crisis in skilled staff shortages, and escalating costs, and the absence of direct support from local councils and other statutory bodies has compounded the challenges we face.
“In this critical period, support is not just a lifeline; we need a collective effort to ensure our businesses not only survive but thrive in dealing with these issues that affect the survival of our businesses.”
Ireland’s Next Top Chef Competition was co-ordinated by the Balmoral Hotel and was established as a not-for-profit culinary competition dedicated to identifying and nurturing culinary talent across the island of Ireland.
The inaugural competition was won by Gareth Crawford of Belfast-based Cú restaurant who fought off competition from over 24 aspiring chefs from across the island of Ireland in a series of culinary challenges.
