News Bites
Hospitality vacancies rise – UKHospitality calls for action
New data from the ONS shows vacancies in accommodation and food service businesses have increased to 121,000 – 30,000 above pre-pandemic levels. UKHospitality are calling for the government to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, commit to scaling up skills projects and instigate Youth Mobility Scheme Agreements. Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Staff shortages remain a significant challenge, causing many to operate far below full capacity.”
£864m hospitality business rates bill would be ‘final nail in the coffin’
Hospitality businesses could be faced with a huge £846m business rates bill next April, after the Consumer Price Index stands at 6.7% this September, according to the ONS. UKHospitality has said that these costs are unfathomable and insurmountable for many, and would undoubtedly be the final nail in the coffin for many businesses.
No-shows in hospitality double in a year
According to new research from Zonal and CGA by NIQ, the number of consumers not showing up for the reservations in pubs, bars and restaurants has doubled since September last year, now sitting at 12%. This costs the sector around £17.59bn per year in lost revenue and restaurants are the most impacted, accounting for 27% of all no-shows reported across the industry.
Sacha Lord releases five-point plan to “Save Hospitality”
At the recent Labour party conference, night-time economy advisor for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord announced a five-point plan to save the “UK’s fifth biggest sector”. He’s advised that VAT on the hospitality industry should be reduced, as well as increasing support for the industry and devolving licensing laws.