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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Only A Pavement Away, a UK charity that assists people facing homelessness by providing employment opportunities in hospitality, has welcomed seven new ambassadors.
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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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Unite the union, representing thousands of hospitality workers, has launched a nationwide campaign to ensure that workers in the lowest-paid sector receive fair pay and tips.
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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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Licensed Trade Charity (LTC), a 230-year-old organisation supporting the licensed hospitality sector and its schools, has launched a new website and podcast series, LTC Talks, to enhance its digital communication resources.
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Bookings for Christmas 2024 have risen by 54% compared to the same period in 2023, according to hospitality technology partner Zonal. Over half of these bookings (52%) are for Christmas Day, up from 44% last year. Saturday 14 December is currently the most popular day for festive bookings, followed by Saturday 7 December.
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Private members’ club 67 Pall Mall has announced the appointment of Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS to the role of head of wine for Europe as it continues to expand its popular model at home and abroad.
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Jillian MacLean MBE, CEO and founder of leading bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London for her contribution to the hospitality industry.
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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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Only A Pavement Away, the charity which supports people facing homelessness to rebuild their lives through employment, has announced the placement of its 500th member into work.
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Almost half (46%) of Londoners have spent more time at pubs, bars and restaurants during Euro 2024, the first men’s summer football tournament since Covid-19 lockdowns, according to new research from payments company Dojo. Across the UK, nearly one in four (23%) have done the same.
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Be Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) has opened nominations for the third BIH Spotlight Awards, scheduled for 21 October 2024 at M Threadneedle Street, London. The awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and businesses from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds in the hospitality, food and drink sectors.
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The deputy mayor of London for business was one of a number of senior officials to descend on Diageo’s global HQ yesterday (8 July), where the organisers of London Cocktail Week convened a daylong collaborative event aimed at hearing from the city’s hospitality sector.
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With a new day and a new government in situ in Westminster, the trade has reiterated the need for support for the UK’s struggling hospitality sector, with reform to business rates and permanently extending the duty easement both top of the agenda.
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With issues such as cash flow, VAT, businesses rates and staffing all placing continued strain on the UK drinks industry, businesses have just a few days left to decide which parties’ pledges have the best hope of steering the sector towards prosperity.
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The trend to premium drinking is predicted to continue as consumers continue to drink less but better, according to the latest insights from analyst CGA by NIQ. Moreover, while ‘value-for-money’ remains key, this is about drinks ‘worth the price’, rather than ‘cheap’.
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