Industry News: 21st May 2020
In the UK the public’s wish to dine out or get a way for a family break is worth £3.8billion (US$4.6bn) to the economy…within just one week of lockdown ending.
New research from Caterer.com this week survey more than 2,000 Brits and revealed 63 per cent want to support local hospitalty businesses as soon as possible, as long as sfety measures are in place.
And it revealed that almost half the people across the country have a new found apprecaition and recognition of the hospitality sector and more than half were eager for it to ‘get back to normal’.
Almost a third (31 per cent) say they will go to the pub within a week of being allowed and in London it was more than half (51 per cent) and 30 per cent will be dining out within the first week.
The insights from Caterer.com show that 62 per cent of Brits would feel comfortable eating in restaurants that occupied every other table only and 55 per cent agreed that maximum group size on a table should be four.
But it was another blow for buffet-style dining with seven in 10 of those surveyed said that was not an option until a vaccine is discovered.
Caterer.com concluded the results support the call from the sector for additional support from the Government, in order to make operation financially viable with 67 per cent supporting Government cash to ensure survival. Even though this money would have to come from central funds, the survey found around 40 per cent say they would pay more in return for better cleaning and social distacing measures.
The survey included suggestions from customers to help make them feel comfortable going out:
- 54% think hand sanitiser should be provided for all customers and staff
- 47% would like all staff to be trained on a new cleaning protocol
- 36% think Social Distancing Managers should be implemented
- 22% think that all staff should wear PPE
- 18% think they should be able to order their meals digitally
Neil Pattison, director at Caterer.com, said: “While this has been an incredibly painful time for the sector, it’s encouraging to see the public have a huge appreciation for what the hospitality sector provides to communities. There is strong appetite to support these businesses and workers in getting back on their feet.
“While measures like having more hand sanitiser available and training staff to introduce new cleaning regimes may be more simply implemented, social distancing measures will mean far fewer customers can be served at one time.
“As a result, there is deep concern about how hospitality businesses will survive economically in the short and long term.
“We are grateful for the Government’s support to date, however, there is still much more work to be done and it’s vital that this continues.”
