S
The tracker also shows that the sector’s turnover contracted by 0.3% in Q1 this year, compared to Q1 in 2022.
UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Unfortunately, these figures no longer come as a surprise and simply reinforce the chronic nature of the pressure hospitality is under due to inflation.
“Despite consumer demand remaining strong and revenue being up on 2019, businesses are simply nowhere near able to keep up with the cost pressures they’re facing across energy, food and drink.
“Even more concerning is that our fears that this endless pressure would cause the sector to contract are starting to be realised, with turnover contracting in the first quarter of this year.
“While it’s marginal at the moment, we want to stem that bleeding, so support from Government is essential. Energy remains the single biggest cost to businesses and direction to energy suppliers from Ofgem and the Government to renegotiate the highest contracts is an essential starting point.”
T