For many of Manchester’s restaurant and bar owners, the ripple effect Covid-19 is still being felt. One of the most pressing issues facing the industry in the wake of the pandemic is the number of staff vacancies left unfilled, though it’s not the only problem they’re confronting.
According to ONS data from mid-June, the sector is experiencing 83 percent more vacancies compared to March to May 2019. And while the industry has created hundreds of thousands of jobs over the last twelve months, its recovery is still being hampered by staff shortages.
Getting back on track has been difficult enough, but now issues around staffing are being rivalled by spiralling energy bills and food prices - the cost of living is really starting to bite.
