Minister for hospitality campaigners request audience with Boris Johnson

Campaigners met with business minister Paul Scully yesterday and have requested an audience with prime minister Boris Johnson, who would be the final decision-maker on whether the hospitality industry gets its own dedicated minister.

Representing the Seat at the Table campaign were Chef & Restaurant magazine editor Claire Bosi, who launched the original petition which received more than 200,000 signatures, chef Angela Hartnett and Pig hotelier Robin Hutson.

The group met with Paul Scully, the minister for small business, consumers and labour markets, whose remit covers restaurants and pubs, and his team.

Hutson said they had “a good exchange about the need for greater representation within government”, that Scully and his team “were listening” and “there is certainly an intention to support the sector on an ongoing basis”.

He added: “As well as agreement about raising the importance of the sector, they have offered to meet us again.”

The issue was debated in Parliament last month and followed up in the House of Lords last week.