Danny Pecorelli, managing director, Exclusive Collection

“My overwhelming sense is one of disappointment, especially for hotel and destination spas. We effectively face another three months of closure without any sight of support measures until next week’s Budget. Furthermore, we will still be on one week’s standby for the announced earliest date of May 17.

“Also, the vital details remain to be published, demonstrating the disregard, devaluation and lack of understanding of our industry – I urge the UK government to announce the economic support packages planned for hospitality, including details on rates relief, VAT cuts, furlough scheme extensions and rent moratoriums, where required.

“We are one of the most compliant industries, having invested time and resources in providing safe and Covid-secure environments, and yet we continue to be penalised and placed behind almost every other sector.”

Becky Woodhouse, CEO, Pure Spa

“It is vital that the end of lockdown is truly the end of lockdown, we cannot go back to the cycle of open/close/open/close that we saw in the second half of 2020. There needs to be immediate support to help us to the end of lockdown measures and then medium-term measures to extend support where businesses need it the most.

I would like to see the following measures introduced:

• • A reduction in VAT
• • The extension of furlough until the end of September to support reopening over the summer
• • An extension of rates relief and the moratorium to prevent landlords evicting tenants
• • Build back better – a fundamental review of business rates, enhanced tax reliefs to encourage business growth and investment, for example an extension of government-backed loans
• • Tax relief extended to investors who loan money to business (in addition to equity) so that people who have savings would receive a greater return if they lent their money to an SME than they would leaving it in a bank account. There has been a £125 billion increase in savings during the pandemic and this needs to be unlocked to help benefit the recovery.

“The spa industry and its growing workforce and dedicated supply chain, must be valued as an essential part of the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing recovery. Behind every spa is a supply chain of dedicated businesses and talented professionals who have also fallen between the gaps when it comes to economic support since the pandemic began.

“We now need to see some joined up thinking at the highest level of government. I look forward to seeing our hardworking spa and hospitality professionals being fully supported to return to work – wherever they work – to deliver much needed spa and wellbeing services as soon as possible.”

Andrew McPherson, general manager, Grantley Hall

“I am delighted that we have more clarity than in previous lockdowns, however, the slowness of the lifting is very bad news for our spa team and the hotel in general. The disconnect between the dates of April 12  for the reintroduction of treatments and May 17 for hotels means that our spa, designed to deliver value to our accommodation product, will remain closed.

“We have nearly £700k on the books that needs to be moved, rebooked, or even worse, cancelled. I and the spa’s management feel that we have operated all areas with incredible diligence and Covid-security. We need the government to give us the green light to accept overnight bookings in en-suite bedrooms from  April 12. We can close off public reception areas, restaurants etc, but to have the ability for people to stay overnight, use in-room dining and have a treatment, would allow us to consider reopening.

“We also need continuing financial support. For hospitality, VAT needs to remain at the lower rate for the whole of 2021 and the furlough needs to be extended through to the beginning of July. Continuing business rate exemptions will also help to get the industry back on it feet. Financial support towards training after the furlough is finished also needs to be a priority.”

Helena Grzesk, COO, British Beauty Council

“We are delighted by the decision to reopen personal care businesses, all being well, on April 12. This welcome news highlights just how far our sector has come in raising our reputation and gaining recognition at government level over the past year. Having a dedicated sector team within the Department for Business, Energy and industrial Strategy ensures we have a continued voice in important decisions such as these.

“However, it is disappointing that saunas and steam rooms are not reopening until Step 3 scheduled for mid-May, alongside indoor hospitality and accommodation.

“The British Beauty Council will continue to champion the beauty industry with a continued focus to secure sector-specific financial support in the form of a personal care emergency fund and a VAT reduction to 5%, as we have seen afforded to other sectors prior to the upcoming budget announcement. This financial support is essential to ensure the immediate reopening and long-term recovery of this economically viable sector and its workforce.

“We hope to see a consistent approach to the reopening as the devolved nations announce their roadmaps.”

Marc Hayton, general manager, Foxhills

“Foxhills is a club and resort that employs 230 people. We offer 400 acres that includes golf courses, tennis courts and an award-winning spa, all of which contribute to our success. While managing the pandemic, we have built a £7 million leisure facility that is now due to open in May 2021.

“We are still digesting the announcement and, typically, the fine detail lags a little, with no mention of thermal rooms, which are an important part of spa days. That said, it is good that there is a plan but the business still needs certainty.

“Opening tennis, golf and outdoor classes for up to five people from March 29 is later than we hoped. Golf has proven it’s so safe that it could have been designed by Oxford/Astra Zeneca! Conversely, gyms and spas opening on April 12 is actually two weeks earlier than we forecasted.

“When our spa reopened in August, take up was slow, however, we expect it will pick up quicker this time as everyone has become more comfortable with the Covid-safe protocols.

“Our industry is burning cash every minute, so we would welcome the business rates holiday to be extended for another year. We also believe that encouraging exercise is another way to ‘Save the NHS’, so it would be a positive move to broaden the VAT reduction on some F+B to cover gym memberships for the coming 12 months.

“The government has provided the roadmap, but the spa industry will be powered by the positive energy of its people. Some of our colleagues haven’t worked since October. Speaking to them, what they miss more than the income is half a year without the camaraderie and sense of purpose. Employers must do all we can to support their wellbeing.

“Importantly, the Treasury select committee has said more than a million self-employed people have slipped through the support net. Many in our sector, such as therapists, nail technicians and personal trainers fall into that bracket. I don’t have the answer but they have been cruelly overlooked.”