The UK can proudly boast that its hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors are all worth hundreds of billions of pounds. In fact, together it is estimated these three sectors combined are worth around £436bn to the UK economy. So, any bounce back or economic recovery set for the months ahead will be highly dependent on ensuring that these sectors do not fail.
But it is also important to ensure those businesses that play a supporting role are given the assistance they need, so as to aid a swift revival of our economic fortunes. There is no stronger example than that of the coach industry. Its integral link into the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors means its own success and future can boost businesses, but its failures could well result in foreclosures in many other sectors.
Last week, Parliament came together to discuss not what has been done to support the coach industry over the course of this year, but what can be done in the coming months. Providing an economic breathing space and taking the weight of taxation, debt and loans (even if only temporary) off the shoulders of the sector would be a start. Enhancing Visit Britain’s domestic tourism campaign would be a way to encourage demand of their services and allow for new avenues of opportunities to be created between the coach company and rail network.
In ordinary times our coach companies are healthy, profitable and successful businesses. We must do all we can to ensure those businesses that support multi-industries and are here today, will be there tomorrow.
High Streets
National lockdowns have not been an enjoyable experience for anyone. Not least our high streets, who while having benefited from the extraordinary package of Government support have still had to compete against national lockdowns, national and regional restrictions and demand decline. It has been no easy feat for our shopkeepers.
Our towns are created and cultivated by the makeup of their high streets. Each shop adds to the character of the area, enhancing its creativity, culture and outlook. It should come as no surprise that across South Devon, our towns have a higher than average number of local independent shops. These independent shops have given our towns a significant resilience to this year’s events and placed us in a far stronger position than many others across the country.
However, we are not out of the woods quite yet and more can be done to ensure we can maintain and bolster our high streets. Their future success will drive investment and opportunity to the area. The first step is as simple as it has always been – shop local! Online marketplaces have understandably done well over the year, but it is time that we, together, came to the aid of those shops and their owners who so often greet us with a welcome smile and a knowing nod. Second, it is time to explore an internet tax for those international companies who have made so much over the course of this year and who all too often pay too little in the UK.
The future of high streets has been written all too often, with many claiming their time is over. If we have learnt anything over the course of this year, it is that our local shops and high streets are the first line of defence and that their future should be in no doubt.
Virtual Surgeries continue
As ever, if you would like to speak to me or book into a virtual surgery appointment please contact me on anthony.mangnall.mp@parliament.uk.