Calls for hospitality support grow as business rates outcry deepens hospitality Calls for the government to extend its rumoured support package for pubs to the entire hospitality industry grew on Monday, after a string of data releases laid bare the bleak outlook for UK venues amid fresh polling that reveals enormous public support for the embattled sector. According to the latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll, 70 [...]
‘A load of rubbish’: Pubs round on Starmer’s licencing offer hospitality Pub and hospitality bosses have rounded on Keir Starmer’s suggestion that relaxed licencing laws may compensate the industry for business rates bills having risen at the Budget, branding the proposal “a load of rubbish”. The Prime Minister confirmed his government was talking to industry leaders about “what further support” ministers could provide pubs and other [...]
Revealed: The 2025 City AM Awards Winners Business The winners of the 2025 City AM Awards were unveiled at a glittering ceremony in the heart of the Square Mile last night in front of 500 guests. The gongs were handed out on stage in the Guildhall, following a speech from former Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane. City AM Editor-in-Chief, Christian May, [...]
British firms brace for ‘eye-watering’ April cost hikes April 1, 2025 Businesses across the UK are bracing for one of the worst weeks of cost hikes in recent history, with industry groups warning that the “eye-watering” rise in firms’ overheads will hamper investment and hiring, and result in higher prices at the till. Hikes to the minimum wage and employers’ National Insurance contributions announced in October’s [...]
UK hotel sector warns on inflation despite pre-Christmas boost January 8, 2025 Occupancy rates at UK hotels rose last November in a pre-Christmas boost, but higher prices have again raised fears about inflation. The average occupancy rate of UK hotels rose from 76.6 per cent to 79.1 per cent in November year-on-year, while London also saw an increase from 79.6 per cent to 82.8 per cent in [...]
Employer National Insurance hike could risk jobs amid 95,0000 vacancies October 15, 2024 Increasing employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs) could pose a risk to jobs amid some 95,000 vacancies across pubs and restaurants, a hospitality lobby group has warned. Data released from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today revealed there are a “stubbornly high” 95,000 openings across the sector, including in venues, cafes and eateries. Hospitality UK [...]
Sunny weather and Euros deliver extended happy hour for Britain’s pubs July 22, 2024 The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimated that the mini-heatwave that swept across the country on Friday and Saturday will have resulted in over 7.5m additional pints being pulled in just 72 hours.
England fans drink in Euros final with pub spending spree July 17, 2024 The number of orders made at pubs nearly tripled on the day that England played Spain in the Euros final, as football fans flocked to watering holes to see Gareth Southgate's side in their second final in three years.
Cheers to that! Warm weather provides ‘welcome boost’ to UK’s pubs May 13, 2024 The overdue sunny weather this weekend gave Britain's pubs a "welcome boost", leading industry figures have said, as revellers across the country soaked up the sunshine in beer gardens in London and across the country.