Bristol’s hospitality sector is invited to come together to address one of its most pressing challenges: how to build workplaces that inspire long-term commitment. Launching this spring, Hospitality for the Future is a new event series from Bristol Food Network and Bristol Business Improvement District (BID), designed to support hospitality businesses with practical, real-world solutions to sustainability, reducing costs and staff wellbeing.
The first event, Hospitality That Works for Everyone, will take place on Tuesday 12 May at The Radnor Rooms and will see restaurant owners, managers, chefs and operators from across the city uniting for an open and honest conversation about what’s really happening on the ground and what’s starting to work.
With staffing pressures continuing to impact the sector, the session will focus on sharing lived experience, operational changes and tangible ideas that businesses can take straight back to their teams. Unlike traditional industry events, Hospitality for the Future is built around practical insight rather than theory, offering candid discussion, peer learning and actionable takeaways without jargon or unnecessary complexity.
The launch event will feature contributions from Dan Ford of Square Food Foundation, who will speak about opening up routes into hospitality and engaging young people; Jez Kynaston of The Assemblies, who will explore what staff wellbeing looks like in practice; and Tess Lidstone of BOX-E, who will share insights on building a workplace where people stay, from four day working weeks to fair pay and shared decision making. Together, they will examine what is driving staff turnover and how businesses can create environments where people feel supported, valued and motivated to remain.
Credit Julian Preece
Alongside these sessions, there will be a panel discussion chaired by Bristol Food Network’s Heloise Balme, with audience Q&A and live polling to give a snapshot of where Bristol businesses currently stand on recruitment and wellbeing. The event will also provide space for networking, encouraging connection and collaboration across the sector.
This event marks the beginning of a wider series focused on supporting hospitality businesses to adapt and thrive in a challenging landscape. By creating space for honest conversations and shared learning, the programme aims to help businesses balance responsible practices with commercial viability while strengthening the resilience of Bristol’s food and drink sector.
Paula Ratcliffe, Senior Business Engagement Manager, Hospitality at Bristol BID, said: “Bristol’s hospitality sector is a vital part of the city’s culture and economy, but we know businesses are under real pressure when it comes to staffing and retention. This series is about creating space for practical conversations, sharing what’s working and supporting operators to build stronger, more sustainable workplaces.”
Heloise Balme at Bristol Food Network, added: “We hear time and again that businesses don’t need more theory - they need real examples, honest conversations and ideas they can actually implement. This series is about bringing people together to learn from each other and start making changes that stick.”
The event will run from 10am to 12pm at The Radnor Rooms. It is open to anyone running or managing a hospitality business in Bristol and aims to spark conversations that continue beyond the room. Tickets are free and can be claimed here: Hospitality for the Future - Bristol BID
Hospitality That Works for Everyone is part of an ongoing programme from Bristol Food Network and Bristol BID, bringing the hospitality sector together to tackle the challenges that matter most. The upcoming dates and topics for the rest of the series can be found here: Hospitality for the Future - Bristol BID
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