A POPULAR bar in Stroud has had to reduce its opening hours due to staff shortages.

A combination of Covid and the Brexit fall-out have led to recruitment problems at the Galgos Latino eatery in Gloucester Street, say the owners.

The Latin American cocktail bar and restaurant has been struggling to find both bartenders and kitchen staff.

While it was previously open six days a week, Galgos is now going to be open for one day less and the bar is shutting at an earlier time.

Its new opening hours are between 5pm and 10pm from Tuesday to Friday and during 12pm and 3pm and 5pm and 10pm on a Saturday.

“Footfall isn't a problem. Stroud has become very busy. It's the staff shortage that makes us limit our hours and operations unfortunately,” said Oriana Fuguet, co-owner of Galgos.

“We do not have people over 18 to work in hospitality in Stroud. I'm mostly getting applications from 16-year-olds. I have hired and taken time to train young people but no one with experience or over 18 is applying.”

The co-owner says that she has tried different things but despite this is still struggling to find staff.

“I have tried to offer flexible working hours. Whether that be full time or part time, during the evening or during the day.”

Ms Fuguet says that a combination of Covid and Brexit have hampered her recruitment drive.

She argues that Brexit doesn’t help relieve the situation as they have been unable to hire people from Europe due to visa requirements.

“The visa requirements keep changing on a daily basis.”

“I had to turn down two applicants from Italy and Spain because of the visa requirements.”

The co-owner has also argued that in particular to Stroud, both problems in housing and the fact that many eighteen-year-olds leave to go to University could also be factors behind this staff shortage.

The owners say that they have been blown away by the public’s overwhelming support over the last few months but they have had to adapt to changing circumstances.

They have now decided to only allow bookings for groups of six or less and they have also had to end their takeaway service due to being extremely busy in the restaurant.

The Latin American cocktail bar is taking on full-time and part-time kitchen staff. You can contact them via e-mail at hola@galgos.co.uk