Pub operators are facing challenges with staffing and recruitment as restrictions ease up with a number describing being left in the lurch by sudden resignations. Operators have described an issue with staff resigning on the cusp of the sector reopening this spring and said the sector has suffered since Brexit. It comes as licensees need more staff to keep on top of fresh rules such as more stringent contact-tracing requirements and face covering rules. The Morning Advertiser ( MA) also heard from one city operator who received just three job applications for a range of roles despite expecting around 80 based on previous postings.