Leading members of the UK's hospitality sector have written to the Chancellor, warning of “business closures, job losses and cancelled investment” unless immediate action is taken.
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The UK government has confirmed that hospitality venues, including outdoor areas of pubs and bars, will not face new smoking restrictions, following industry outcry over potential impacts on trade.
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Failure to tackle some of their most pressing concerns have left trade bodies and operators frustrated. James Bayley rounds up their thoughts.
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The Autumn Budget’s employment tax measures will raise the cost of employing full-time staff by at least £2,500, according to an analysis released by UKHospitality.
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The UK’s Autumn Budget, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has announced significant changes to alcohol duties, drawing sharp criticism from the alcohol and hospitality industries.
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Hospitality and leisure businesses face a fourfold increase in their bills, potentially adding tens of thousands of pounds to costs per venue, if business rates relief ends on 31 March.
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UKHospitality is urging the government to take immediate action to prevent a sharp rise in business rates for thousands of hospitality businesses, warning that bills could skyrocket in April 2025 without intervention.
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The London Assembly’s Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has launched an investigation into the challenges facing the city’s night-time economy, focusing on the long-term effects of the pandemic, rising inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The inquiry aims to assess how well London’s night-time leisure sector has recovered and to explore how existing mayoral policies support the ambition of a “24-hour city”.
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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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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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The Conservative Party has committed in its manifesto to a comprehensive review of England's nighttime economy, aiming to overhaul existing licensing laws and planning regulations.
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WSTA chief urges government action for £35bn UK wine sector. James Bayley reports.
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Ahead of the 4 July general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce the number of migrants each year under a new Conservative government.
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UK inflation dropped to 2.3% in April, its lowest level in nearly three years. However, the reduction was less significant than anticipated, dampening hopes for an imminent interest rate cut.
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In response to the growing crisis of stress-related absences in the UK workforce, The Drinks Trust and The West Midlands Combined Authority have unveiled a pilot wellbeing programme tailored for Nighttime Economy Workers. Developed by The Drinks Trust, the initiative aims to address the pressing issue of mental health and wellbeing among employees.
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Efforts to align the UK's bottle deposit and return scheme (DRS) across all four nations have hit a snag, with an anticipated launch pushed back to 2027, marking a four-year extension from the original timeline.
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UK inflation slowed less than expected last month, despite the rate of price increases falling below that of the US for the first time in two years.
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The government has announced it will support British businesses to settle energy disputes.
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Industrial action across the rail network from Friday 5 April to Monday 8 April is estimated to cost the hospitality sector £387m, according to UKhospitality.
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As of yesterday (1 April), employment costs have increased for hospitality businesses following a rise in the National Minimum Wage.
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