Lake District: Businesses 'struggling' to recruit staff

A recent business tracker survey by Cumbria Tourism has revealed that a lack of applicants in Cumbria continues to be a problem for 77 per cent of businesses.

Rachel Tyson, head of projects and partnerships at Cumbria Tourism, explained that the workforce development team at the organisation are 'proactively' working to combat this issue.

Michal Kuzio, manager at the Royal Oak in Bowness, said he had been trying to find a full-time chef for six months.

The Royal Oak on Brantfell Road (Image: Google Maps)

He explained this has impacted the business as they have to shorten the kitchen opening and closing hours.

"We have been having people from Kendal and Ulverston but because of the traffic, they are just dropping the job after a couple of weeks," said Mr Kuzio.

"The biggest problem is housing which is non-existent. If you do not have accommodation for staff there is pretty much zero chance you will find somebody to work."

The owner of The Old Post Office Tearoom, located in the village of Troutbeck, said it was 'especially difficult' to hire people to work in the more remote areas of the Lakes. 

The Old Post Office Tea Room in Troutbeck (Image: Google Maps)

He said the reason for this issue is the 'lessen in the local community'.

He is currently looking for a tea room assistant to help their business.

"In Troutbeck, 50 per cent of the people live here and of those people that do live here probably 90 per cent of them are either in retirement age or have well-paid jobs which afford them to live here and then travel to the south to work so they are not available for this kind of work," he said.

"The holiday homes do generate business but it takes away youngsters for local employment."

Taryn Carradice, manager at Woodlands Guest House in Windermere, said they have 'struggled' for a long time since Brexit.

Woodlands Guest House on New Road (Image: Google Maps)

"A lot of my staff have had to leave and go back to Europe. A lot of them do not have settlement status," she said.

"The one thing that is helping us get staff is because we offer live-in accommodation. People can't afford to live in the area. We have so many people wanting live-in jobs."

Adam Theobald of the Sourdough Pizza Co in Ambleside, who opened the business two months ago, said he had received multiple applications from university students from the area to work in his establishment. 

Ms Tyson added: "Working closely with local visitor economy employers, Cumbria Tourism runs events to encourage people into work as well as attending jobs fairs and spending time talking to those who are seeking work through Job Centre+, Inspira or through the Tourism Talent Hub offering a 1-2-1 free job matching service.

"This activity falls under the ‘Welcome to Work in the Visitor Economy’ project funded through Westmorland & Furness Council UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Funding). The project seeks to help those who are out of work into a suitable role within the tourism sector whilst also helping local employers bridge their recruitment and skills gaps.”