Cost of Living
Coverage explores the impact of economic pressures on consumer spending, staff retention, and operational costs across the UK hospitality sector. We report on inflation, wage demands, energy prices, and discretionary income trends, analysing how restaurants, pubs, caterers, and other operators are adapting pricing, staffing, and promotional strategies in response to shifting demand and household budgets.
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Feb- 2022 -3 FebruaryBusiness
BoE raises interest rates to 0.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to 0.5%, up from 0.25% previously. The BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) confirmed it voted by a majority of 5-4 to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 0.5%. Interestingly, it revealed those…
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3 FebruaryBusiness
Energy price cap to rise 54% from April
Hospitality bosses are braced for a spending squeeze after it was revealed the energy price cap is set to increase by 54% from 1 April amid a “record” increase in global gas prices, in a move that is set to affect approximately 22 million customers. Energy regulator Ofgem announced that…
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Jan- 2022 -14 JanuaryBusiness
UK economy surpassed pre-Covid levels in November
Gross domestic product (GDP) has surpassed its pre-pandemic level for the first time as it grew by 0.9% in November 2021, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. In the latest release, output in consumer-facing services grew by 0.8%, mainly because of a 1.4% increase in retail…
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Nov- 2021 -24 NovemberCoronavirus
Hospitality vacancies could reach 163,000 over Christmas, study finds
Hospitality vacancies could reach as high as 163,000 over Christmas as the UK continues to be hit by an employment crisis, according to new analysis of ONS vacancy data by Stint, a student work app. It analysed the last 10 years of vacancy data and used a forecasting model to…
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Feb- 2020 -27 FebruaryPubs and Bars
Unite announces Greene King pay dispute strike dates
Workers at drinks giant Greene King have announced a rolling programme of strikes into July as a result of an ongoing pay dispute. Unite union announced the first two days of strike action will be on 12-13 March by its 160 delivery drivers, draymen, brewery production staff and warehouse workers…
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Jan- 2020 -14 JanuaryNews
Greene King union staff members vote for strike action
Greene King workers who are part of the Unite union have voted for strike action following a “paltry” pay offer by the brewery. Unite members, including draymen, brewery production staff and warehouse workers, voted “strongly in favour” of strike action after rejecting a 2% pay rise which they argue does…
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Jun- 2018 -7 JunePeople
One-third of Brits spent less on eating out in 2017
A third of Britons prepared themselves for a potential increase in the cost of living post-Brexit by spending less on eating out in 2017, a report has shown. The British Lifestyles UK 2018 report, which was published by the market intelligence agency Mintel, revealed 33% of Britons saved money last…
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4 JuneFeatures
Whining and dining? Embracing technology is the answer
One in five UK diners consider waiting too long for their meals the most irritating thing about eating out, according to new research. The study, conducted by Quadranet, revealed that, as a nation, our bug bears when dining out also include inattentive staff and things on the menu not being…
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