Justin Hemmes calls on staff to ‘play their role’ in beating Covid

Pub baron Justin Hemmes has issued a passionate plea to his staff so their sprawling Merivale empire and the hospitality industry can survive.

Pub baron Justin Hemmes has issued a passionate plea to his staff members to get the Covid-19 jab so their sprawling Merivale empire and the hospitality industry can survive.

Mr Hemmes said the government’s forecast of vaccinating 80 per cent of people by November was “very exciting news”.

“I hope everybody is doing OK under these difficult circumstances. I’m sorry the lockdowns have gone on for so long,” he said in a video uploaded by Merivale.

Pub boss Justin Hemmes has called on staff to get the jab. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

“There is a road to recovery, we all have a role to play in it. If you are willing, please get vaccinated. The AstraZeneca is available within three days of booking and for those who are eligible, you can get the Pfizer.

“We all have skin in the game, we all have a role to play, we have targets to reach … our customers are so excited to get back to normality, to get back to our venues, to have a beautiful meal with wonderful service and an incredible environment.”

Mr Hemmes he was “really excited” to see the country on the road to recovery.

“I give you my guarantee, my personal guarantee, that we will get you back to work as fast as we can. And we will open up all our venues as much as we can and as soon as we can,” he said.

“We are going to have the best summer and we are going to celebrate at the end of it.”

Originally published as Justin Hemmes calls on staff to ‘play their role’ in beating Covid