It's no secret that country-wide the hospitality industry is suffering staff shortages and it is no different here in West Dorset.

Many businesses have had to take the decision to close on certain days or restriction the number of customers they can serve.

It is by no means an easy industry to work in but we want to support Dorchester's local businesses and highlight what roles they have to offer.

Glenn Chadwick, who owns Hardy's pub and The Last Post, said: "It's qualified and experienced staff which is the big issue - it's a major issue.

"People went and found other jobs while they were waiting for hospitality to sort itself out and I quite honestly don't blame them.

"Historically, it's never been a particularly well paid industry but margins are tight for everyone. Personally, I pay more than the going rate because I believe in rewarding staff for what they do. There are a lot of incentives and things like that, but it's getting staff in the first place. It's been a major headache, especially at The Last Post.

"I know the Government has brought out this apprentice scheme [ Incentives for hiring a new apprentice], which is great, however, businesses like myself that had to open up before this scheme was available, we can't backdate that scheme. So I've got lots of young people working for me, some of them I would very much like to take forward and train them up. It would be really useful if the Government backdated the scheme."

Mr Chadwick is looking for waiting staff, bar staff and a cook.

He added: "The staff I've got are double shifting at the moment - they can't do that indefinitely.

"We're hoping with the restrictions going that we're going to be a lot busier than we were, which is fine, but it puts pressure on the staff again.

"It's an industry-wide problem, experienced people have left us and aren't coming back because they have found other work and have possibly bene in that work for three or four months now."

Mathew, who owns The Pantry café and the newly opened Relax Coffee Lounge, said the situation was "dire".

He said: "We're struggling for staff at The Pantry, but we've got a good existing team, so it's not a major issue for us there, but at Relax we're having to close two days a week - we simply cannot survive on that.

"It's absolutely horrendous for us financially and in terms of building the business up.

"We're looking for all staff - waiters and waitress aged 18 plus as we have a alcohol license, we went through the whole process and appeal but we can't open it until we get the staff in place and of course we can't get the staff. We're also looking for a cook as well and potentially evening staff for a new wine bar.

"Speaking to people who have been in the industry, it [the staff shortage] seems to be several things; one is they blame furlough, some are on furlough and not looking to go elsewhere or they've been on furlough and want to respect their employers. The other thing is people have learnt that if they go to a supermarket for the same sort of money, it's completely different, you're not getting the same stress as dealing with the angry public.

"There's not much we can do about it but just hope at some point things turn around.

"We used to advertise jobs - we would get between 90 to 100 applicants each time - but now you put an advert on and out of 10 people who applied, nine would be under 16 or under 18 and the other one you would reply to and they won't come back to you.

"It's definitely tough."

If you're out and about enjoying a meal or drink at one of our wonderful eateries, please be patient and kind to staff - they are doing a stressful job with a few hands short!

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