Economic Growth
Reporting focuses on how wider economic trends influence the UK hospitality and foodservice sector, including shifts in GDP, consumer confidence, business investment, inflation, and labour market conditions. Coverage offers analysis to help restaurant groups, pub operators, and caterers understand macroeconomic forces shaping demand, expansion plans, and long-term strategy.
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Mar- 2025 -25 MarchBusiness
UKH calls for CMA investigation into business energy market
UKHospitality has called for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to conduct an investigation into the non-domestic energy market. In a letter addressed to CMA boss, Sarah Cardell, the trade body said the criteria for a Market Investigation Reference (MIR) has been “undoubtedly met”, including reasonable grounds for suspecting competition…
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12 MarchGovernment
UKH calls for delay to employer NICs threshold changes
UKHospitality has called for the government to delay the reduction in the employer NICs threshold after hospitality business confidence hit a two-year low. Only 14% of businesses feel optimistic about the hospitality market, according to research from CGA by NIQ’s Business Confidence survey. UKH claimed that the change to employer…
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4 MarchPubs and Bars
The Revel Collective H1 sales fall 22% amid bar brands challenges
The Revel Collective has reported that sales for the 26-week period to 28 December 2024 were 22% lower at £64.2m than in the same period last year, due to “challenging” conditions in bar brands which made recovery “slower than expected”. The fall in sales reflects a “significant” reduction of venues…
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Feb- 2025 -24 FebruaryBusiness
April cost hikes may force 70% of hospitality firms to cut jobs
A survey by hospitality trade associations has revealed that rising employment costs and reduced rates relief in April will force 70% of businesses to cut jobs, threatening workers’ incomes. The survey by The British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKHospitality also revealed that…
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18 FebruaryCafes and Coffee Shops
Costa Coffee invests in baristas with 5% pay boost
Costa Coffee has announced that it will increase pay rates by 5% from 1 April 2025 for over 15,000 team members in its 1,500 UK company-owned stores following an £8m investment. The investment raises the starting national pay rate for Costa’s baristas to £12.60 per hour, from £12 per hour.…
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10 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 10/02/25
Red Engine has unveiled its 2025 global expansion plans as its Q4 sales rose 24% to £25.3m. The hospitality group behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle saw its sales combined with its franchise partners reach £38.4m, spelling a rise of 23% year-on-year – with like-for-like sales increasing by 4%. Britain’s…
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10 FebruaryPubs and Bars
Hospitality challenges ‘far from over’ despite BoE rate cut
The decision to reduce the base rate on 6 February was an attempt to stimulate economic growth in a “stagnant” economic environment but the challenges facing the hospitality sector are far from over, Price Bailey has warned. According to recent research by the accountancy firm, 21% of pubs and bars,…
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4 FebruaryVenues & Properties
Boxpark granted Shoreditch lease extension until September 2025
Boxpark has announced that its original flagship Shoreditch location will remain open until the end of September 2025 following support from the landlords Ballymore and Hammerson, the local community and its key stakeholders including Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Since its opening in…
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Jan- 2025 -30 JanuaryTrade Associations
Growth plan must include foundation economy, UKH says
UKHospitality has urged the chancellor to bring forward a specific growth plan for hospitality, and other sectors in the foundation economy, that can deliver growth “swiftly”. While the trade body agreed that big infrastructure projects are much-needed, it also pointed out that their benefits won’t be realised “for years or…
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24 JanuaryAnalysis
How hospitality saved November and why it needs saving in April
The Office for National Statistics’ November 2024 GDP numbers highlight how important the hospitality industry is to the UK economy. It is evident that this industry continues to be a pillar of economic recovery, with the food and beverage subsector leading the economy in terms of performance, and hotels following…
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