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Sam Smith

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Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 21 total)
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  • in reply to: Hospitality Industry #150870
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Eoin and Amy,

    I’m actually a journalist who covers the hospitality industry as a niche, so I’ve been lucky enough to be on a few conference calls recently discussing this very question.

    The first problem is we don’t know when the strict lockdown rules will end, and even once they do there’s likely to be caution from consumers and companies. It’s unlikely to kick straight into gear and will likely all come back to life in stages.

    Some of the experts I’ve spoken to expect the industry to feel the pinch in some form for the next 12 months, or until a vaccine is widely distributed. This sucks I know, but it’s going to be necessary in making sure COVID-19 doesn’t come back for a another round.

    Secondly it may all depend on what each company chooses to do. Some may open in any capacity the law allows them too, while others may take a more soft approach. So it depends on your employers too and how they want to handle it. They will be keen to earn so I imagine they’ll do all the can to safely operate. It’s just hard to know when and by how much.

    But here’s the good news, the hospitality industry is expected to bounce back. In fact, it was recently suggested that a boom in the industry could be instrumental to the UK’s economic recovery. Although not everyone agrees. Industry leaders do believe that better days are coming though, that’s because the public will be missing bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels and are keen to enjoy them again.

    When people are able, and the coast is clear of COVID, people will want to make up for lost time and this means getting back out there and enjoying themselves. The hospitality sector is expected to reap the rewards of this. That means that when the time comes there will be plenty of work and hours on offer. The hard part is pinpointing when.

    Hope this helps.

    in reply to: Essential items? #150852
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    It is a little hard to know what’s okay and what’s not. I took my dog to a field for some flyball. Just he and I, no other human interaction. We saw other dog walkers but we were all sensible and kept our distance. I’m doing this a couple of times a week as Loki is a big dog and needs to run a lot. Nobody has said anything.

    Although I did see two lads (brothers who live in the same house) playing basketball and got moved on by police.

    in reply to: UK Holidays #150850
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    I’m in the exact same position. I’ve also got one in October in the UK which I’m worried about.

    My wife thinks we should cancel them all and just try again next year, where I’m trying to not be so negative. Although I will if I have to.

    My trip in October is to Whinfell Forest in Center Parcs. I imagine social distancing will be over by then surely? I’d rather not chase a refund if I don’t need to.

    in reply to: Benefits on a cut wage #150848
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    My friends have also been asking Stan’s question on social media. This might be a good place to direct them too.

    in reply to: Payment Holidays #150847
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Thanks Annie and Jasmine, in that case I’ll hold on for now and pay them as normal.

    Kiera – I think you need to be offered one by someone you’ve got credit with. I received an email from my mortgage provider (Halifax) and from the company I have my car on finance with. They came to me, no payments were missed and it is totally optional. Neither myself or my wife have been furloughed, in fact we’re both still rather busy workwise.

     

    in reply to: Overdraft charges #150711
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    My bank (Barclays) seem to have frozen overdraft charges. For now anyway. It may have been an automated thing done in error? May be worth reaching out to them and seeing what they say.

    in reply to: Furloughed Pay #150710
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Hannah, as your furloughed will you be receiving 80% of your salary?

    in reply to: Self-employed for less than three years #150709
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    I’m tempted to not even bother. Being self employed for less than a year means applying for what I’m entitled to may be more hassle than it’s worth. I’m still able to work you see, so I feel my efforts would be better placed there.

    in reply to: Student loans and university #150708
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Jen, I think you’ll still be charged for the semester unless the University have said otherwise. I imagine there’s some virtual lectures etc? And aren’t the exams part of all that?

    As for your halls I find it very unlikely you’ll be charged for that. What have your Uni said about this? Even if you are charged I guarantee you won’t be the only one effected, there will be lots of people asking for a refund and it would be unreasonable for you not to get it.

    It may also be worth asking the other students on your course too.

    in reply to: Benefits on a cut wage #150707
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Amy – have your employers not communicated anything about being furloughed?

    Jen – I’m not sure students can apply for Universal Credit, but are you officially furloughed or has your employer just cut your hours? It would be good to know how this impacts students.

    in reply to: Payment Holidays #150706
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    I think I’m just keen to know is it worth bothering with if we can still pay our bills. If it doesn’t put my payments up by much then we might as well take it. But if it’s going to be significant, and we don’t really need it I’ll steer clear.

    I’ve also asked Halifax, but have had no answer. I should call them but I’d rather not wait on hold when the issue isn’t pressing.

    in reply to: Prebooked Flights #150705
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Hannah, have you reached out to the airline to see what their policy is?

    in reply to: Probation uncertainty #150691
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Some companies have found it cheaper to furlough than to lay off staff. Recruitment costs money too. It can also depend on the industry too.

    in reply to: Supposed to be shielding – sick pay or furlough? #150690
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Jules,

    I think it depends on what you do for a living. Some industries have more support from the government than others. Have the offered to furlough staff and are they in receipt of government aid?

    Thanks

    Sam

    in reply to: Essential items? #150689
    Sam Smith
    Participant

    Hi Maureen,

    I was stopped by the police the other day. I was literally going for a drive with my dog around the country lanes, no destination in mind. I live in a remote rural area and wanted to run my car to make sure the battery was charged. And it gave my dog and I a change of scenery. If the battery dies I’m stranded, so running my car is necessary to be getting out and about when I need to. I don’t want to have to call the AA and interact with them if I don’t need to.

    We were pulled over 2 miles into our journey. I told the officer the truth and also said that I wasn’t planning on leaving the car throughout the journey. My Type-R its my favourite toy and I just wanted to go for a cruise. Due to me not actually going anywhere I wasn’t in breach of any social isolation rules. The officer in question understood and let me go on my way. I was polite and so was he. He did advise me to do this sparingly though. Such as once a week.

    I’ve driven to my local village and back to collect takeaways and shop for essentials. I’ve not been pulled over since.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 21 total)