The Seat At The Table campaign pushing for a UK minister for hospitality has smashed its target of securing 100,000 signatures (with 149,636 signatures as of Wednesday 16 December) meaning that it must now be debated at the Westminster parliament. It is reported that this will happen on Monday 11th January 2021 at 4.30pm.
#SeatAtTheTable was founded by Robin Hutson, chairman and chief executive of Hampshire-based Home Grown Hotels and the Lime Wood Group, and the 30-day social media campaign has been drumming up support for the creation of a minister of hospitality role.
Representation for hospitality in the UK parliament is currently split between two government departments – the department for business, energy and industrial strategy and the department for digital, culture, media and sport. A minister of hospitality would be the champion and guardian of the sector in parliament, promoting the importance of the economic, social and employment contribution of the industry to society.