United Kingdom
The TSA CEO regrets the lack of commitment to the government, warning that 24,000 jobs are at risk as lack of financial support kills laundry companies in the hospitality industry.
The British laundry industry serving the hospitality sector is experiencing incredible difficulties during the closure. While restaurant operators get additional support, the laundries they supply and which hotels and restaurants rely on get nothing because of the damage done by the COVID-19 crisis. They have lost 100% of their business and will not survive if nothing is done. Which will mean another big headache for hotels and restaurants if they manage to reopen.
"It's a ridiculous situation," said David Stevens, CEO of the Textile Services Association (TSA), the trade organization for the British laundry industry. "We have urged the government and councils to recognize laundries as part of the hotel industry because they are vital to their survival." If the hotel industry is closed, the hotel industry will be closed. They are part of the same organism.
“What makes it even more ridiculous is that laundries are recognized in Scotland as part of the hospitality industry. However, apparently this is not the case in England and Wales. At least not if they need government support.
“Rishi Sunak confirmed that event rental companies are part of the hospitality industry. If so, why aren't there laundries? "
Matthew Simon is a director at Empire Laundry in London. He says: “We have repeatedly appealed to our local council and were rejected by him. The majority of our income was discontinued overnight when hospitality was discontinued. Why can't the government accept laundries like us as "hospitality classified" when we are? "
Currently, councils can determine who should be recognized as part of the hospitality industry to receive support. Some councils have accepted the TSA's argument and given grants to local laundries, but most have not. "The government needs to clarify the policy and change it if necessary so that there is no doubt," says Stevens. "So many other industries have received support, but here is one that is dying and we are stuck. The government and most councils completely ignore us.
“We are also not the only industry that is suffering from it. Other suppliers to the hospitality industry are in the same boat as appliance manufacturers and cleaning companies. Everyone wants the hotel industry to recover, but not without the essential support of their service providers. "
90% of the hotels rent their laundry from TSA members. The association warns that many of its members will not be able to reopen if there is no support. And if they don't reopen, many hotels just won't work. In addition, the jobs of the 24,000 employees in the laundry of the hospitality industry are at risk.
“The message is simple: laundries in the hospitality industry are part of the hotel industry. We need help."
