HOSPITALITY businesses in Weymouth are hopeful of a post-pandemic jubilee bounce for the industry but have voiced concerns over cost of living challenges.

With the hospitality industry serving as the lifeblood of Weymouth’s economy - contributing an estimated £716 million across Dorset each year - many are hoping for some much needed post-pandemic stability.

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Barry Whettingsteel, who runs The Secret Garden and The Crows Nest in Hope Square, said he is remaining optimistic for the industry.

He said: “We’re expecting a really good summer. I think we are all looking to move on from the pandemic and back to enjoying ourselves; the only big challenge I can see is as everyone’s utility bills hit then we might start to see customers not having as much income to come out and spend with local businesses but that’s going to hit all of us.”

Many hoteliers tyhe Echo spoke to said whilst bookings remained steady they had seen an increase in last-minute reservations as consumers shopped with caution amid cost of living challenges.

Denise Watts, General Manager at the Royal Hotel, said she felt Weymouth would always have a market to cater to but struck a cautious note when it came to the recruitment of new staff.

She said: “I’ve retained a strong team but there are definitely challenges that we haven’t had in previous years and recruiting is more difficult. I think that’s something that is affecting all businesses where it can be difficult to properly plan ahead but we’ve got to approach it from a positive perspective and make the most of the summer.”

Many in the industry are quietly optimistic that this summer will see local hospitality return to centre stage.

Unlike the past couple of year it is no longer a case of worrying about footfall but, rather, increased logistical challenges as Emma Cogan - Company Director at The Dorset Burger Company - explained:

“So many local businesses pride themselves on providing high-quality services at a reasonable price: many of us are already noticing some supply chain issues and that might be our biggest hurdle to overcome in the summer. It’s about being able to get those raw products to cope with the demand that we’re all hoping to see.”

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All of the businesses we spoke to said supporting local hospitality had never been more important: a sentiment shared by Emma Cogan.

She said: “A lot of the independent businesses here have had a pretty dire couple of years and now we’re all on our own two feet for the summer. We all need everybody’s support and, obviously there are those challenges around cost of living, but we just hope that when you’re down in Weymouth hopefully you pop in and see us but, if not us, then support another local business.”

Dawn Rondeau, Chief Operations Officer at We Are Weymouth (BID), said: “We are about to hit the busy summer season here in Weymouth and we’re excited by all that is happening throughout the town.

"We are pleased to see that Weymouth has retained most of its businesses with many new businesses opening or expanding: in fact we are 2.5% better than the national average, with 91% occupancy.

"The mood is optimistic as we see the return of Fayre in the Square, at the start of the half term holiday, and the Wessex Folk Festival and Quayside Music Festival during the Jubilee weekend, along with a raft of special events 'We Are Weymouth' have scheduled for the Autumn/Winter months.

"We understand that there are still challenges facing our levy payers, but we’re positive about what the summer season will hold. With 62% of UK residents set to stay in Britain this year and 24% intending to spend a staycation in the southwest, 'We Are Weymouth' (BID) anticipate another bumper summer.

"There’s a real buzz about the town and here at 'We Are Weymouth' we endeavour to support our business community to help them make the most of the months and year ahead.”