WEST Dorset pub and restaurant owners have thrown their weight behind a campaign for the hospitality industry to have representation in Parliament.

More than 200,000 people across the country have signed the petition to create a Minister of Hospitality.

It comes at a time when the sector is struggling due to the third national lockdown.

Due to the amount of signatures amassed, the motion was discussed in Parliament earlier this week. The debate saw MPs vote in support of the motion to create a dedicated Minister of Hospitality, although this is only the first step and there will have to be further debate.

Many venue owners in Bridport and the surrounding areas have thrown their weight behind the campaign.

Claire Pimbley, landlady of the Half Moon in Melplash, said: “An industry which generates so much in terms of employment, opportunity and economy needs to have a voice to represent those within its sector.

"We need someone who is knowledgeable that we can direct our concerns directly to and can look out for and look after the industry. If the people in charge don’t have the understanding of the industry and how things can impact owners, customers and suppliers then that is where things can go wrong.

"It would have been hugely beneficial to have had someone there looking out for us last year and to give a plan of hope for how we would be able to reopen. Rather than these decisions being made by people who don’t understand the industry or understand what should happen."

The petition states 'We are asking that a Minister for Hospitality be created for the current, and successive governments. A dedicated Minister would liaise with industry representatives. We believe such a Minister would have been beneficial to Government & Industry during the pandemic. We need a Minister who can listen to concerns on taxation & legislation and bring forward suggestions to the chancellor and policy makers on our behalf.'

Across the UK, the hospitality industry is responsible for three million jobs and generates tens of billions in revenue every year.

John Baker, landlord of the The Ropemakers pub, said: “I definitely think it’s a good idea, the hospitality industry is a huge sector - one of the largest in the country – as we haven't got any true representation.

“The government has given us a lot of support this year but he hospitality trade in general has been marginalised.

“It is important that specialists in the trade to be representatives of the sector, which is unfortunately something the government hasn't been very good at all, historically."

Claire Moore, co-owner of the Station Kitchen, said: "As the third largest employer in the UK, our industry needs a minister more than ever.

"We’ve all been hit hard - our insurers refused to pay out, we were forced to close with minimal notice and the lack of government support has made things twice as hard and restaurants are closing all over the country.

"We really need a voice to ensure hospitality has a future, because right now it’s on its knees."

The petition can be found at www.petition.parliament.uk/petitions/552201