A stark warning has been issued by The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) today as latest figures show Local Authority support for businesses in the West Midlands struggling due to the pandemic is as low as 0.6% of the funds allocated by HM Treasury in some areas.
In the West Midlands, the most-recently available data shows a reluctance to release funding despite significant amounts being allocated by Government with Bromsgrove District Council releasing just 0.6% of funding, East Staffordshire Borough Council just 1.2% and Tamworth Borough Council 2.5%. Across the West Midlands, Local Authorities have released a total of just £18,653,427 of the available £118,680,740 (15.7%).
Across the region, AVA members have experienced resistance when seeking help from Local Authorities despite specific funds being allocated in the form of ‘Additional Restrictions Grants’ to support businesses impacted by closures in the Leisure and Hospitality sector.
The call to support the ‘vital vending industry’ comes as two thirds of operators report turnover reduction due to the pandemic, with some losing all revenue completely and the industry bracing for the loss of up to one in five jobs.
Chief Executive of the Automatic Vending Association, David Llewellyn, said: “Specific funding has been allocated by the Government to businesses which have been impacted by COVID however time and time again our members, many of whom are facing significant loss of revenues, are having their applications for support rejected.
“Frankly, the numbers are shocking. Local Authorities across the country need to think long and hard about their motivations and start helping those people who work in affected services such as ours. Vending operators, whose workers have been classes as essential keyworkers, need the support now or many of them simply won’t be around when workplaces, leisure centres and retail reopen. We’re calling on local authorities to act now, before it’s too late.”
Ensuring that keyworkers have access to food and drink while carrying out their essential work has been at the forefront of thinking for those in the vending and food to go industry since to start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With restaurants and canteens being forced to close, the option to get food on the go has been a lifeline to those on the front line of fighting the virus and saving lives.
