Leading members of the UK's hospitality sector have written to the Chancellor, warning of “business closures, job losses and cancelled investment” unless immediate action is taken.
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The UK government has confirmed that hospitality venues, including outdoor areas of pubs and bars, will not face new smoking restrictions, following industry outcry over potential impacts on trade.
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The Autumn Budget’s employment tax measures will raise the cost of employing full-time staff by at least £2,500, according to an analysis released by UKHospitality.
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The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries.
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The hospitality sector is facing a substantial increase in operating costs as the Chancellor confirms a 6.7% rise in the National Living Wage, set to take effect in April 2025. The uplift will raise the hourly rate from £11.44 to £12.21, directly impacting more than 3 million workers and adding an estimated £1.9bn to the hospitality sector’s wage bill.
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A survey of pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses has revealed that jobs and investment plans would be threatened if business rates relief expires in April, causing bills to quadruple.
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UKHospitality has welcomed the government’s focus on employment flexibility in the Employment Rights Bill but cautioned that the proposed changes could lead to additional costs and require further consultation to avoid unintended consequences.
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Hospitality and leisure businesses face a fourfold increase in their bills, potentially adding tens of thousands of pounds to costs per venue, if business rates relief ends on 31 March.
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The number of job vacancies in the UK’s hospitality sector has dropped below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There are currently 98,000 vacancies in food service and accommodation, marking a reduction on recent years. However, the number remains 5,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000.
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UKHospitality is urging the government to take immediate action to prevent a sharp rise in business rates for thousands of hospitality businesses, warning that bills could skyrocket in April 2025 without intervention.
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The London Assembly’s Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has launched an investigation into the challenges facing the city’s night-time economy, focusing on the long-term effects of the pandemic, rising inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The inquiry aims to assess how well London’s night-time leisure sector has recovered and to explore how existing mayoral policies support the ambition of a “24-hour city”.
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Hospitality sales experienced a sharp decline last Wednesday as violent disorder and the threat of widespread rioting led to many businesses closing their doors and a significant drop in customer turnout.
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Nearly 250,000 people attended the Edinburgh Fringe and other festivals last year, resulting in a 30% increase in average daily sales for hospitality venues in the city compared to the rest of the year.
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The hospitality industry has welcomed the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates to 5%, the first reduction in four years. The previous rate of 5.25%, a 16-year high, had been in place since August 2023.
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The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has been instructed to recommend a new National Living Wage to take effect from April 2025.
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The latest company insolvency statistics reveal a 20% increase in accommodation and food service insolvencies over the year to May 2024, rising from 3,133 in the 12 months to May 2023 to 3,752 in the 12 months to May 2024. However, there was a 9% decrease in month-on-month insolvencies in May 2024.
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Clinton Cawood examines the sectors of the market faring best and those suffering the most.
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The Labour government’s first King’s Speech has been welcomed by the hospitality sector for introducing measures aimed at achieving a 6% annual growth potential. Key proposals include reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy and the planning system, which were major requests from industry body UKHospitality.
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The Conservative Party has committed in its manifesto to a comprehensive review of England's nighttime economy, aiming to overhaul existing licensing laws and planning regulations.
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Hospitality can deliver for Britain by growing 6% a year and creating 500,000 new jobs with the right investment, according to economic analysis from UKHospitality and Ignite Economics.
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