A DEDICATED support hub for tourism and hospitality businesses has been set up by Northumberland County Council.

The new Tourism and Hospitality Support Hub, which launched on Thursday, will provide advice, guidance and support prior to the industry’s permitted reopening on July 4 in line with government guidance.

As the sector gathers pace, the council has established a dedicated team which could provide advice, support and guidance to heritage locations, hotels and other guest accommodation, restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services as well as the wider visitor economy, including attractions, events and shows.

Businesses will be able to seek information on social distancing measures, cleaning protocols, support for staff, licensing and permissions issues, as well as accessing PPE if they have not been able to do so.

There will also be a dedicated phone line open seven days a week, email address and website with regular updates on the latest guidance for the sector. The hub will also help businesses access national initiatives, such as Visit Britain’s We’re Good to Go industry standard.

Coun. Cath Homer, cabinet member for culture, art, leisure and tourism at the council, said: “From July 4, our tourism and hospitality sector will be reopening for business, but with some guidance and restrictions to work within.

"As a county council, we want to ensure that we provide as much support and guidance to businesses at this time and where possible practical support and help to enable them to open safely and as early as they can.

“We will also be proactively contacting businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector over the coming days to ensure that they have what they need to reopen and that they are aware that they can contact us at any time over the coming weeks through the dedicated support hub if they need any further assistance.”

Coun. Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said “The tourism and hospitality sector are vitally important to enabling the recovery of our economy to gather pace and wherever we can, we want to ensure that the council offers as much advice, support and guidance for businesses to reopen safely and as early as possible”.

Any business wishing to seek advice, support and guidance can contact the Tourism and Hospitality Support Hub by calling (01670) 623134 - seven days a week from 8am-6pm or by email to tourismsupporthub@northumberland.gov.uk

The Tourism Support Hub will initially operate until the end of July, with the option to continue.

For further information go to www.northumberland.gov.uk/businesshub