More than a third of the UK’s hospitality sector is at risk of business failure in early 2023 due to the cost of doing business crisis, according to analysis of a new survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Hospitality Ulster.

The organisations’ joint Q4 hospitality members’ survey showed that 35% of respondents were expecting to be operating at a loss or be unviable by the end of the year, with 96% experiencing higher energy costs and 93% facing food price inflation.

The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on customers is also being felt, with more than three-quarters of operators (77%) seeing a decrease in people eating and drinking out and 85% expect this to worsen going forwards. As a result, 89% are either not confident or pessimistic that the current levels of support offered by government will protect the industry in the next six months.

Continued uncertainty about rising inflation, future regulation and staffing is causing a crisis of confidence among business owners. Business confidence has dipped lower than at any point during the pandemic and illustrates the deep concern in the sector according to the survey, which was completed by over 500 businesses including pubs, restaurants, bars, hotels and other hospitality venues.

In a joint statement, the trade associations said: “The results clearly lay out the stark situation facing hospitality businesses, with many on the brink due to the cost of doing business crisis. The vulnerability of the sector due to soaring energy costs, crippling rises in the cost of goods and dampening consumer confidence is on full display in this survey and if urgent action isn’t taken, it is looking incredibly likely that we will lose a significant chunk of Britain’s iconic hospitality sector in the coming weeks and months.”

They say that the hospitality sector was showing signs of having bounced back from the pandemic before the energy crisis then hit. The organisations have urged government to offer urgent assistance, adding: “Further business rates relief is absolutely critical to avoid businesses facing a cliff-edge in April next year and, in the long-term, a move to cut VAT for hospitality would do wonders in giving consumers the confidence they need to support their local hospitality businesses, which are so important to our local communities and the economy.

“We would all encourage the new Prime Minister to work with the sector on these suggested measures and what further action can be taken to ensure hospitality continues to thrive well into the future.”

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