New campaign calls for Chancellor to keep VAT at 12.5% to support hospitality recovery

A major new campaign – #VATsEnough – is calling on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to make the 12.5% VAT rate permanent for hospitality and tourism.

Investment shortfall highlighted as PM tells hospitality to fund its skills and pay gap

The hospitality sector is expected to invest in funding the sector’s skills and pay gap itself, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled.

Hospitality leaders fight to recruit and retain staff as labour shortages bite

One in six (16%) hospitality jobs currently lie vacant, triggering intense competition among firms to recruit and retain team members, the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA and Fourth has said.

Hospitality sector experiencing 'unprecedented' rise in job vacancies

The UK's hospitality industry is facing an escalating staffing crisis, with a 69% increase in job listings, according to a recent report.

UKHospitality urges fairness to all parties in new tipping legislation

The introduction of legislation regulating the sector’s management of staff gratuities has been welcomed by UKH, with a major caveat.

Price spikes predicted as 3/4 of hospitality prepare to pass on costs

Costs resulting from ongoing supply chain issues are likely to be passed onto the customer this autumn, CGA has predicted, with three-quarters of hospitality businesses admitting that they are likely to raise prices as a result.

Charity report finds racism continues to affect UK hospitality

A survey commissioned by the not-for-profit organisation Be Inclusive Hospitality suggests that racial discrimination continues to be an issue for the UK's service industry.

Business failures and job losses loom with Welsh Covid passports

The introduction of Covid-19 passports for venues in Wales will be an extra burden that could bring business failures before the end of the year, industry bodies have warned.

Foundation puts Basset front and centre as it unveils expanded remit

The charity founded by family and colleagues of the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS has broadened its mission statement to include promoting diversity and inclusion across the hospitality industry, in addition to embracing a shorter title.

Hospitality sector remains in ‘fragile state’

Following the UK government's unveiling of its strategy for managing Covid-19 during the autumn and winter months, UK Hospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has issued a stark warning about the importance of allowing businesses to remain open.

Inflexible hospitality sector faces continued labour crisis, as job vacancies surge past one million

The UK’s hospitality industry must embrace more flexible working patterns if it intends to survive, a leading commentator has claimed.

HGV shortage could lead to a watered-down Christmas, Accolade warns

Accolade Wines has warned that truck driver shortages could have a major impact on Christmas sales, with on-going recruitment issues likely to limit stocks and drive up costs.

No-shows cost sector £17.6bn

Customers not turning up for their bookings are costing the hospitality sector £17.6bn each year, according to a new CGA and Zonal report.

Optimism among hospitality professionals dips

Optimism among hospitality professionals has dipped amid staffing challenges and safety concerns, according to a new survey by CGA and CPL Learning.

Deliveries and takeaways to maintain significant share of restaurant and pub sales

Deliveries and takeaways are set to maintain a “significant share” of restaurant and pub groups’ operations despite restrictions on indoor service lifting following Freedom Day, the latest CGA & Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker has predicted.

Customers return to on-trade quicker than last summer

A total of 56% of consumers visited a hospitality venue in the first 10 days following July’s Freedom Day, according to a new UK Hospitality (UKH) survey, supported by data from CGA, released today.

Drinks Trust backs PR internship for pandemic-affected workers

The Drinks Community – the professional members platform from The Drinks Trust – has partnered with UK drinks public relations agency Domino Communications to offer an internship for those working in the hospitality and drinks industry, whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the pandemic.

Restaurants and bars emerge as the big winners of Freedom Day

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups lifted sales back close to pre-Covid-19 levels in July, new data has revealed, with restaurants and bars benefitting the most from the easing of restrictions.

On-trade reopening: Limited freedom

Staycations: mixed reactions to summer boom

The UK’s regions are enjoying a burst of attention with staycationers going in search of the British sun. It’s a shame venues can’t get the staff, says Jo Gilbert.