Sam Smith

Hi Eoin and Amy,

I’m actually a journalist who covers the hospitality industry as a niche, so I’ve been lucky enough to be on a few conference calls recently discussing this very question.

The first problem is we don’t know when the strict lockdown rules will end, and even once they do there’s likely to be caution from consumers and companies. It’s unlikely to kick straight into gear and will likely all come back to life in stages.

Some of the experts I’ve spoken to expect the industry to feel the pinch in some form for the next 12 months, or until a vaccine is widely distributed. This sucks I know, but it’s going to be necessary in making sure COVID-19 doesn’t come back for a another round.

Secondly it may all depend on what each company chooses to do. Some may open in any capacity the law allows them too, while others may take a more soft approach. So it depends on your employers too and how they want to handle it. They will be keen to earn so I imagine they’ll do all the can to safely operate. It’s just hard to know when and by how much.

But here’s the good news, the hospitality industry is expected to bounce back. In fact, it was recently suggested that a boom in the industry could be instrumental to the UK’s economic recovery. Although not everyone agrees. Industry leaders do believe that better days are coming though, that’s because the public will be missing bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels and are keen to enjoy them again.

When people are able, and the coast is clear of COVID, people will want to make up for lost time and this means getting back out there and enjoying themselves. The hospitality sector is expected to reap the rewards of this. That means that when the time comes there will be plenty of work and hours on offer. The hard part is pinpointing when.

Hope this helps.

I’m in the exact same position. I’ve also got one in October in the UK which I’m worried about.

My wife thinks we should cancel them all and just try again next year, where I’m trying to not be so negative. Although I will if I have to.

My trip in October is to Whinfell Forest in Center Parcs. I imagine social distancing will be over by then surely? I’d rather not chase a refund if I don’t need to.

Hi Hannah, as your furloughed will you be receiving 80% of your salary?

Hi Jen, I think you’ll still be charged for the semester unless the University have said otherwise. I imagine there’s some virtual lectures etc? And aren’t the exams part of all that?

As for your halls I find it very unlikely you’ll be charged for that. What have your Uni said about this? Even if you are charged I guarantee you won’t be the only one effected, there will be lots of people asking for a refund and it would be unreasonable for you not to get it.

It may also be worth asking the other students on your course too.

Some companies have found it cheaper to furlough than to lay off staff. Recruitment costs money too. It can also depend on the industry too.

Hi Maureen,

I was stopped by the police the other day. I was literally going for a drive with my dog around the country lanes, no destination in mind. I live in a remote rural area and wanted to run my car to make sure the battery was charged. And it gave my dog and I a change of scenery. If the battery dies I’m stranded, so running my car is necessary to be getting out and about when I need to. I don’t want to have to call the AA and interact with them if I don’t need to.

We were pulled over 2 miles into our journey. I told the officer the truth and also said that I wasn’t planning on leaving the car throughout the journey. My Type-R its my favourite toy and I just wanted to go for a cruise. Due to me not actually going anywhere I wasn’t in breach of any social isolation rules. The officer in question understood and let me go on my way. I was polite and so was he. He did advise me to do this sparingly though. Such as once a week.

I’ve driven to my local village and back to collect takeaways and shop for essentials. I’ve not been pulled over since.