Drinks Trust offers emergency grants for UK hospitality workers

The Drinks Trust has launched a campaign promising emergency grants for those in the hamstrung UK hospitality sector.

Announced yesterday, the new campaign has been called ‘Another Round’, and has been developed for those in need of immediate help in the UK as a result of restricted trading for pubs, bars and restaurants due to the Covid lockdowns.

Recording the impact of Government policy on this vital sector of the UK economy, the charity pointed out that in 2020 over 10,000 licenced premised closed permanently, a 175% rise compared with 2019.

As a result of permanent and long-term closures, over 660,000 people lost their jobs in 2020, representing 20% of the workforce, while a further 1.15 million remain on furlough.

With these people in mind, The Drinks Trust is marking the reopening of hospitality by launching a dedicated grant-giving campaign, Another Round, with a fund of £125,000 that will be distributed in emergency grants of £400 per person, and it may be extended based on the uptake.

The emergency grants campaign opened yesterday, with applicants assessed based on their financial circumstances. Those who are facing significant hardship will be awarded £400 emergency grant.

To find out more about The Drinks Trust’s Another Round and how to apply, please visit: https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/another-round

Ross Carter, The Drinks Trust chief executive, said: “This, most recent lockdown, has had a significant impact on the financial circumstances of thousands of people, with many having now lost their jobs due to the closure of hospitality and drinks businesses.”

He added, “As a result, we are now receiving significantly increased demand from people who are unable to pay rent and council tax or afford to feed their families, many of them now depend on food banks to do so.”

Continuing, he said, “The Drinks Trust has been working hard to ensure that vital support is given to the most vulnerable people of our industry and that they’d be able to access the services needed. The purpose of’’Another Round’ is to reach those who are unable to celebrate the reopening of in the way others can, to support them financially where we can and to spread awareness that whilst this is a positive time for our industries, we cannot let our most impacted colleagues be forgotten.”

Aware that many in the drinks and hospitality sectors face challenges beyond financial hardship, all applicants will be encouraged to consider the charity’s wellbeing services (counselling, mindful drinking and sleep and insomnia treatment) irrespective of being awarded a grant.

Business are welcome to donate and support The Drinks Trust’s Another Round by emailing: partnerships@drinkstrust.org.uk