Scottish pub bosses call on office staff to take boozy lunches and slam Nicola Sturgeons Covid curbs

Hospitality bosses desperate for a post-pandemic boost are encouraging the return of ‘business lunches’ and post-work drinks for hybrid workers.

Companies and employees are being urged to work hard and play hard as they help kick-start the recovery of businesses in Edinburgh’s city centre after two years of strict Covid curbs championed by Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP.

More than 35 hospitality operators will stage special promotions and events next month as part of the Eat Out Edinburgh campaign.  

The campaign will encourage the return of business breakfasts and lunches, as well as post-work gatherings for office-shy employees to boost the hospitality industry after a tough two years.

Edinburgh city councillors and business leaders have already criticised the ‘disproportionate’ burden that pubs, bars and restaurants faced during lockdowns. 

It comes as Ms Sturgeon will look to set out her proposals for a gradual return to normal life in a statement to Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.

Her approach is expected to be more cautious that Mr Johnson’s in England after he yesterday announced the end of self-isolation rules from February 24 and the withdrawal of free tests for the general public from April 1. 

Hospitality bosses desperate for a post-pandemic boost are encouraging the return of ‘business lunches’ and post-work drinks for hybrid workers. [File image]

Kate Russell, general manager at Bonnie & Wild in the city’s famous St James Quarter, said the company was proud to ‘champion Scotland’s world-class food and drink producers’

Hannah McConnachie​ (above) from Edinburgh-based Signature Group – which runs a chain of hospitality venues in the country – was eager to finally welcome back punters for the ‘Eat Out Edinburgh’ campaign after two years of restrictions

The business group behind the Eat Out Edinburgh campaign has admitted it does not expect the number of office workers to return to pre-pandemic levels in the city centre.

But Roddy Smith, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said a boost was expected from the ongoing transformation of offices to meet demand for flexible working.

He said: ‘We want to re-engage the whole city to come back and spend money. We have nearly 40 hospitality businesses involved in a campaign to entice back residents and visitors, but especially office workers.

‘If someone is coming in three days a week rather than five, I think they’ll be more likely to want to meet someone for lunch or go for a drink after work in future.

‘Rather than bringing a sandwich into the office, we’re looking for people to support our world-class hospitality industry.

‘A lot of people haven’t been in the city centre at all over the last two years, but there have been huge changes, with so many places opening up. 

‘For those businesses to thrive, we need to fill them throughout the year. We can’t just rely on tourists.’

It comes as new statistics published by the All Party Parliamentary Pub Group showed the devastating impact Covid had on boozers across the UK.

At its peak, 2,500 pubs closed in 2020 alone – equating to an average of six pubs being lost each week throughout the pandemic’s worst year. 

Damningly, of the 15,000 publicans, punters, industry groups and academics surveyed for the inquiry, 60% disagreed with the Government’s level of support offered to pubs. 

Companies and employees are being urged to work hard and play hard as they help kick-start the recovery of businesses in Edinburgh’s city centre after two years of strict Covid curbs championed by Nicola Sturgeon. The SNP leader is pictured above in Edinburgh on Monday

Commenting on the report’s findings, Nik Antona, chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: ‘This is a crucial moment for pubs, and I hope Government will see this report as an opportunity to raise the bar. 

‘Without legislative reform and greater investment in the trade, thousands of pubs across the country face an uncertain future. We need action from the Government to keep these vital businesses, and local communities they serve, thriving.’

Several influential voices in the city have also hit out at the adversity that pubs, bars and hospitality venues have endured since the pandemic began. 

Pauline Weddell, area leader for Edinburgh at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ‘City centre businesses have suffered disproportionately over the last two years, with hospitality and retail in particular having faced unpredictable periods of restrictions and a fall in demand due to the absence of large numbers of office workers.’

Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey said every effort was being made to best support the centre, which he described as ‘one of the most resilient in the UK’.

He said: ‘We fully support this campaign to encourage local people to get back out there and enjoy everything our city centre has to offer.

‘We’re very aware lockdown restrictions have had serious repercussions on many city centres businesses.’

Nicola Sturgeon has come under fire for the draconian Covid curbs she has insisted on

Kate Russell, general manager at Bonnie & Wild in the city’s famous St James Quarter, said the company was ‘proud to champion Scotland’s world-class food and drink producers’ in the campaign.

‘We’re passionate about supporting those smaller businesses who perhaps wouldn’t be able to have a high-profile, city centre outlet otherwise,’ she added. 

Hannah McConnachie​ from Edinburgh-based Signature Group – which runs a chain of hospitality venues in the country – was eager to finally welcome back punters for the ‘Eat Out Edinburgh’ campaign after two years of restrictions. 

She said: ‘Each of our venues is unique, taking inspiration from its surroundings and customers, with food and drink offerings sourced locally to showcase the best of Scottish produce. 

‘Our Edinburgh venues are well known for their historic architecture and community involvement.’

The Scottish Government is extending its Covid powers for another six months, with regulations underpinning the use of face masks and vaccine passports now due to expire in September. 

That does not necessarily mean that rules will remain in place for another six months because they are subject to review every three weeks.