Debate held in Westminster Hall on Monday 11th January 2021

Following the debate, led by Catherine McKinnel MP, the hope is that this will be recommended to the Prime Minister who will hold ultimate responsibility in making the decision. The team behind #seatatthetable will continue to share industry voices across their various social platforms and are keen that many others within hospitality do the same. Increasing signatories on the petition make our collective voice heard more by those within government.

The #seatatthetable HQ has been THE PIG-at Bridge Place where the team - ordinarily busy running the hotel - has turned their hand to lobbying government and raising awareness of this campaign. The endlessly energetic and positive people working around the clock have been Lydia Rigby, Freya Morton, Darryl Harris, Jamie Banner, Bethany Chown & Luis Davila from Bridge with support from Tean Bradford, Max Stennett, Amy Larcombe, Niall Barnett and Ben Skedd from other PIG properties. They have been creative, full of fun and have taken the campaign's Instagram account alone from 0 followers at the beginning of December to 14.9K followers on 13th January. Some of the industry's biggest names including Angela Hartnett and Tom Kerridge have praised their work championing everything they've achieved in such a short space of time.

Hospitality is the third largest employer in the UK yet there is no Minister for Hospitality in government. Over 3 million are employed by the sector, there is £130bn in activity resulting in £38bn in taxation. This sector would like a seat at the table of government as so many enjoy a seat at the tables of hundreds of restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars throughout the UK.

Campaign trailblazer and founder of The Pig Hotels, Robin Hutson, says, "If 2020 has shown us anything it's how little government understands the needs of the hospitality sector and, as importantly, how vital the hospitality sector is to the nation's happiness and overall mental health. This industry must have a voice within government."

Hundreds of Britain's finest are actively behind and involved in this campaign including Angela Hartnett, Tom Kerridge, Rick Stein, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. Of the sector, chef and TV personality Tom Kerridge has said, "hundreds of young people are employed by the hospitality sector and are carving out exciting and fulfilling careers for themselves. If pubs and restaurants aren't given more of a voice then the future of them as entities are in jeopardy which will naturally lead to job losses."

To sign the petition click here - https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552201

To follow the campaign -

Instagram - seat_at_the_table_

Twitter - @seatat_thetable

#seatatthetable