Two business owners have said they expected next year’s TT to be cancelled, but it will still be a financial shock for the hospitality industry.

Martin Brunnschweiler, owner of brewery Bushy’s and Michael George, owner of the Welbeck Hotel were speaking to the Manx Independent following this week’s announcement that TT 2021 is cancelled.

Mr George referred to the decision as ’one of the island’s worst kept secrets’ and Mr Brunnschweiler said the brewery had ’resigned’ itself to there being no racing next June given the cancellation of other events across the British Isles in the coming months.

Both men said the decision had given them some clarity in planning for next year but that the decision would still cause confusion and issues with the industry.

Mr George said: ’It gives us certainty in some ways but we still don’t know when the borders will open so we can trade properly again.

’I respect why they decided to call it off but we don’t know what will happen with visitors or if we should hold bookings or if we can let the rooms again.’

brutal

’It is quite brutal for the industry. I think everybody was hoping we’d be able to be at business as usual but instead we’ve been left hanging a bit. We’re a 12 months a year operation, but obviously the TT is a major plank in that.

’In a normal year, it would be a blow but it wouldn’t be the be all and end all. But this comes after what has been three winters and it looks like we’re going to have another.’

However Mr George was hopeful of the support that has been promised to the hospitality industry and the prospect of a tourist season in 2021, if the borders can open.

Mr Brunnschweiler added: ’When you saw the numbers [of cases] in the UK and Europe and with events being cancelled everywhere, I really couldn’t see how it could go ahead. We’re better keeping the island Covid free than we are having the races.’

The brewer boss said he is harbouring hopes for the MGP/Classic TT fortnight in the summer and welcomed the decision to make an announcement for those races in March, which will allow businesses time to plan and will let breweries know if they should start brewing more beer for extra visitors.

Mr Brunnschweiler wouldn’t be drawn on if he would plan a big event if the MGP/Classic TT fortnight goes ahead, but he did say: ’I’m sure I’ll look at it, but there is a whole host of variables between now and then.

’If it looks like bookings are going good then maybe, but we need good number to justify the sort of event we put on. Hopefully we’ll have a better idea by March.’

Mr George said that while the staycation business has brought some relief to the industry, he believes that other places away from the capital will have done better than those in it.

’People come to Douglas for an event,’ he said. ’I would suggest that its been a better year for those out of town hotels and holiday cottages.’

boost

However Mr Brunnschweiler said that the for pub trade people being unable to travel off island has provided a boost.

He said: ’It is great the pubs and restaurants have been, and continue to be supported.

’A silver lining of Covid-19 for us was we had to find new ways of packaging to sell our beer which probably wouldn’t have happened before. So we’re very grateful that Shoprite were able to accommodate us on their shelves and sales have continued to grow even with the pubs being open again.’