New drink spiking measures introduced by government

Drink spiking is set to be targeted by police and door staff in a raft of new measures unveiled by the home secretary James Cleverly as the festive party-going season gets into full swing.

Christmas strikes to cost hospitality £800m

ASLEF, the UK’s train drivers’ union, has announced a ‘rolling programme’ of strikes during the festive month.

Wet October softens growth for hospitality

Britain’s leading hospitality groups saw year-on-year growth slow to 3.2% in October amid widespread poor weather, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals.

Industry welcomes RMT breakthrough

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), has agreed a deal in principle with train operators to resolve the ongoing rail dispute, quelling fears of a repeat of last year’s Christmas strikes which were so damaging to the hospitality industry.

Energy bills mount as government support reduces

A snap survey by UKHospitality reveals the staggering costs the industry faces on the eve of the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, which will reduce government support to businesses.

CGA survey reveals positive outlook for hospitality despite inflation

Leaders of Britain’s top-managed hospitality groups remain cautiously optimistic about the future despite spiralling costs, the 2023 Business Leaders’ Survey from CGA by NielsenIQ and Fourth reveals.

Pub and bar company insolvencies jump by 83% in past year to 512

Insolvencies of pub and bar companies have increased by 83% in the past year, from 280 in 2020/21 to 512, says UHY Hacker Young, the national accountancy group.

Hospitality sector under massive strain as insolvencies hit decade-high

Business energy support to reduce from March government announces

The goverment has announced a new energy support for businesses that will take effect from 1 April 2023, although at a lower rate than the present scheme. 

How the Drinks trade reacted to The Budget

In today’s Autumn Statement (17 November 2022), Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a few announcements regarding business taxes, but there was no mention of alcohol duty, much to the frustration of the drinks trade.

Red tape cut for thousands of growing businesses

On Sunday, October 2, prime minister Liz Truss announced that red tape would be cut for thousands of growing businesses.

Business energy bills capped by government relief scheme

The government has announced a new energy relief scheme that will reduce energy bills for businesses by 50% of expected levels. 

Businesses urged to get behind ‘Hospitality Apprenticeships Week’

Trade bodies, charities and training providers have come together to promote Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2022, running between 3 and 9 October.

Hospitality industry urges new Prime Minister Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save the sector

On Monday (5 September), Conservative Party members chose a new leader and, therefore, a new Prime Minister. Liz Truss secured 57% of the vote, defeating Rishi Sunak in the race to Number 10.

UKH urges government to issue on-trade rescue package

UKHospitality (UKH)chief executive Kate Nicholls has written an urgent letter to the UK government, outlining the potential disaster facing thousands of businesses in light of the energy crisis.

Government extends off-sales licence after backlash

The government has announced that it will extend the alcohol off-sales easement, introduced during the pandemic, to September 2023, following a campaign led by UKHospitality and other sector bodies.

Hospitality sector recovery stymied by labour shortages, rising costs, and a drop in consumer confidence

A new report, Future Shock – Leaving Covid Behind, shows sales are back to pre-pandemic levels, but 15% of roles remain vacant, costs are spiralling, and the cost of living challenges is impacting consumer spending.

7,000 pubs forced to close in last 10 years

According to real estate consultancy Altus Group, the number of pubs in England and Wales is now at its lowest point on record, down by more than 7,000 in the last decade.

'Chronic' staff crisis continues as vacancy gap widens

New figures have shown how the hospitality sector’s staffing crisis is worsening under growing stagnancy in the job market, as the gap between new job creation and people willing to enter the workforce is widening. 

Hard hit hospitality calls for further government support

As the hospitality industry continues to face a mounting crisis of cancellations and closures in the wake of Omicron and Plan B restrictions, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has urged the government to step in and save many businesses from going under.