This time last week Baz Butcher of the White Hart in Wytham was upbeat, with a healthy helping of Christmas bookings. This week is a different story: “We are hemorrhaging bookings,” he says.
“We’ve had Christmas reservations cancelled and/or group bookings reducing their numbers. Every cancellation comes with a huge apology and we’re very grateful for that as well as the notice. On the other hand we’ve had a marked increase in the number of customers making reservations for our outdoor, all weather, Observatory area and pods.”
Sue Randall of Oxford Fine Dining said: “Since last week our lost revenue is approximately £30,000. Everything was booked, and in place for the bookings we had, so this is a real blow after a busy summer and autumn. It’s a shame because our environments are extremely safe compared to going to the supermarket etc and hospitality has been proven to be the safest environment.”
Kay Chandler of The White Hart in Fyfield says: “I have come in this morning to about 15 cancellations for work Christmas parties.
“government guidelines are not to cancel parties (especially those with cheese, wine and secret Santa)”
“BUT our main focus now is to be safe and responsible and give all of our guests a magical experience this Christmas, especially as government guidelines are not to cancel parties (especially those with cheese and wine and secret Santa). Having missed out on Christmas last year we know how much people want to meet up and celebrate, but we have asked guests only to do so only if it’s safe and responsible.”
Luke Champion of The Hollybush and Horseshoes in Witney says: “It’s definitely been a worrying week because if someone cancels our 30 seater Elephant Room for example we can’t rebook it at the drop of a hat, so yes we are nervous, even though we are a table service venue only.”
Chris Mulhall at The Plough in Oxford says: “Yes we had several cancellations and a surge of covid safety questions. The government has said carry on, our livelihoods are in the balance, the industry is on its knees, and a safe and enjoyable Christmas can still be had. We have much expertise in safety of others at this stage, we can only assure our customers that this will continue.”
“if Plan B comes into action, or if they change the goal posts and make it more difficult to host, then it will be devastating”
David Cumberlidge, Pod Director of Peach Pubs says: “Our staff have gone above and beyond to make this Christmas in particular special and extra safe. But if Plan B comes into action, or if they change the goal posts and make it more difficult to host, then it will be devastating.”
“Being positive around being safe has always been at the forefront of what we do and we will continue to keep guests and our team safe and have measures in place.”
Tess Taylor from Tap Social said: “We only want people to do what they feel comfortable with, but we do hope that people consider the official guidance given and in turn continue to support the local and independent businesses that rely so heavily on the Christmas period.
“Like (probably!) every hospitality venue, we’ve put a lot of time, energy and resource into preparing for Christmas. It’s an expensive time of year for all businesses, but hospitality in particular relies on this month to bank some funds to see us through the slower period in January and February.
“Like (probably!) every hospitality venue, we’ve put a lot of time, energy and resource into preparing for Christmas”
“The year/last 18 months have been incredibly tough and we are nowhere near the levels of business that we were at pre-pandemic. There is still so much uncertainty about what we should and shouldn’t do and this has definitely impacted us in terms of business levels and growth. We really feel for all our friends and colleagues in the industry and hope that we can all see it through and come out stronger than ever. “
Sarah Heather-Holt from The Mole in Toot Baldon says: “We’re fully ready so it will impact us massively to not have the parties coming in. We have had quite a few cancellations, especially since Boris announced his Plan Band I’m sure it will continue to get worse – but we have to keep looking at the positives.”
The Scenic Supper boys who have set up a special festive pop up restaurant at Fir Tree Farm said:”We’ve had many cancellations or drop outs, particularly from larger tables, which has been challenging.
“We have been working behind the scenes on our winter event for the last six months”
“We have been working behind the scenes on our winter event for the last six months and just want to share all the hard work with everyone and give people nights to remember!”
“We’re all feeling it this winter season and the current situation and government guidelines do not fill people with confidence in dining out or Christmas gatherings – which is what the Scenic Supper Winter is all about, even though our barn just outside Lower Swell has plenty of space. So we have been considerate about how many tables to fit into the space. We are following all current guidelines and practice including a service cleaning routine twice daily.”
