Welcome to this week’s News Bites, where we’re celebrating the great British staycation, and keeping our glass half full!
A glass half full for hospitality
Almost 80% of restaurants, pubs and bars in the UK are feeling optimistic and confident about the next year, according to the latest CGA business confidence survey. Karl Chessell, the CGA’s director for hospitality operators and food in the EMEA, said: “The figures are testament to the resilience of operators and the enduring appeal of restaurants, pubs and bars to consumers, and we can be optimistic that sales will follow confidence in bouncing back strongly this summer.”
The great British staycation
A new report out this week predicts unprecedented demand for UK staycations this year which could help bring a £22 billion boost to domestic tourism. The report ‘UK Staycations 2021: A Year of Opportunities’, published by Colliers, reveals that indulgences such as room upgrades, spa treatments and afternoon teas will be in high demand as consumers looks to treat themselves following lockdown.
Restaurants join forces to support India’s COVID crisis
JKS Restaurants – who own Gymkhana and Hoppers – alongside Tandoor Chop and Jikoni, are spearheading a charitable initiative that’s aiming to bring together some of the world’s best Indian restaurants to support India through the COVID-19 crisis. Each restaurant will be raising money through exclusive dine-in dinners, bespoke delivery menus and charity donations added to bills, with all proceeds going to ‘1 Billion Breaths’.
58,000 Brits take part in large pilot events
The Events Research Programme that saw 58,000 people take part in regulated large-scale events in April and May, has this week revealed that only 15 positive cases of COVID have been reported following these events, that’s 0.03% of all those that attended. The late night sector has welcomed the initial figures, with the report highlighting that large events can be safe as long as risk mitigation measures are used, including testing and improved ventilation.