The Government has announced enhanced business support schemes for the hospitality and arts sectors hit by the latest restrictions.

This includes reopening the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to new applicants and a relaxation of the turnover reduction figure for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme scheme to 40%.  There is also an extension of tax warehousing.

EFCEM is the only Commercial Kitchen Equipment Group represented in Brussels by Orgalim, the highly respected voice of the Europe's Technology Industries. Through such high level of representation EFCEM can advocate and influence current legislation while anticipating regulations. 

The federation is active in the formulation of standards for the industry and through its meetings seeks to identify and act on issues of common interest. By being involved within EFCEM, National Associations and their Members benefit form unrivalled technical expertise and resources. 

The newsletter details updates from various Working Groups:

• BIM and Public Procurement
• Environmental Matters
• Safety, Hygiene, Potability of Water
• Connectivity
• Marketing

The Cabinet will meet this morning to discuss changes to the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme.   Businesses affected by the latest round of Covid-19 restrictions will be able to avail of the financial supports.  

​The number of businesses that will be able to receive financial assistance is set to be increased under plans being drawn up by the Government.

The Irish Hotels Federation has described the additional Covid-19 restrictions announced g by the Government as 'a massive blow for hotels and guesthouses', saying they will have a devastating impact on hospitality businesses throughout the country.

 IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane urged the Government to urgently intervene with immediate additional business and employment supports to sustain businesses into the New Year.

Two Irish senior executives working for Sodexo, Aoife Wycherly and Deirdre Saunders, have been recognised as role models in the UK’s ‘Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure (HTL) Index 2021’. 

The Index is produced by WiHTL (Diversity in Hospitality Travel and Leisure) in partnership with the MBS Group and features 62 women and 13 advocates for change from across the hospitality, travel and leisure industry in the UK.

​Workplace services provider Sodexo is on the lookout for Irish start-ups and scale-ups as ‘future of work’ partners. It has teamed up with innovation specialist L Marks to launch its Accelerator innovation lab programme here in Ireland and in the UK.

Sodexo’s Accelerator innovation programme has already launched in China, Brazil, India, France and Sweden, and from January 2022, it will focus on Ireland and UK market. 

​The National Public Health Emergency Team is believed to be considering a range of curbs on the hospitality sector tonight, with the aim of reducing transmission of Covid-19.

The measures being assessed are thought to include eliminating the capacity of people to book multiple tables, and also reducing numbers to six people per table.  ​It is also believed that NPHET is assessing the value of restricting opening times of licensed premises.