RE: Ready for the turn7 Dec 2023 12:49
pub and bar groups hope for strong christmas trade in london, but rail strikes to hit total hospitality spend
firms such as revolution bars are expecting a busy december
revolution bars -- joanna hodgson|simon hunt
pub and bar groups look to be in line for bumper christmas party trade in london with bookings on the up, but the industry warned rail strikes could hurt total hospitality spend in the capital.
a host of both london-listed and private bar and pub companies all told the evening standard that christmas bookings in the capital for the next four weeks are ahead of last year and in some cases above pre-covid performances in 2019.
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the respondents were: fuller's, young's, revolution bars, stonegate, greene king, barworks, nightcap and three cheers pub co.
trade body ukhospitality estimates the festive period in london will generate around £4.5 billion in revenue for the industry, with sales coming from pubs, restaurants and hotels. but chief executive kate nicholls said a typical amount on an average year would be closer to £5 billion.
nicholls said the potential decline is "owing to rail strikes interrupting plans and denting consumer confidence".
she added that a recent rmt pay deal will help provide some certainty for consumers but "what we really need is all parties in the ongoing dispute with aslef to reach a resolution" that avoids this week’s planned strikes and any further disruption throughout december.
but nicholls sounded upbeat about underlying consumer appetite for celebrating.
rob pitcher, the boss of ****tails specialist revolution bars, said christmas bookings in london are running about 25% ahead of last year and about 10% ahead of 2019 as "corporate guests see the value in providing great experiences for their teams".
he added: "with hybrid working there is a greater need for team bonding when the opportunity allows and when better than the festive season."
on the strikes he said: "after almost two years of strikes, i do think people have become very resourceful and will find a way to get to their works christmas night out. we all deserve a good party after the last few years.”
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