Michelin-star restaurant stops serving lunch due to lack of staff
David Moore, the founder of Pied à Terre in London, said he decided to halt the restaurant's lunchtime menu to "preserve" his depleted workforce.
"You struggle through everything that we have had to struggle through with Covid, and then you come back and you get another kick in the teeth," said Mr Moore.
As the UK economy emerges from the effects of the pandemic, several industries have reported shortages of staff, with UK job vacancies hitting their highest level since March 2020.
The hospitality sector has been hit harder than most, having to cease trading during lockdowns and operating under tight restrictions.
It has led to many staff being placed on furlough, which has prompted some to leave the profession. Industry body UK Hospitality has said waiting staff and chefs are in particular demand.
Restaurateur Mr Moore said 800 people applied for a receptionist role in November 2020, but he received just seven responses when he re-advertised for the role three weeks ago, and no-one showed up to an interview.
