The UK hospitality sector
The UK hospitality sector has taken a pounding over the last few years.
Since Brexit, we have lost c200K International chefs, front of house, and wait staff from the UK hospitality talent pool. At almost the same time Covid, with its associated hygiene regulations, was making many hotel, pub, and restaurant businesses untenable. Nearly 400 pubs alone closed in England and Wales 2022. And now the cost-of-living crisis is keeping customers at home in their droves.
Attracting and keeping customers must be at the very top of every hotelier’s and landlord’s to-do list.
We are frequently seeing BOGOF, and similar offers in larger restaurant chains. The ubiquitous high street coffee shops remain heavily invested in loyalty cards but for smaller independents that is not always financially viable, and they must be more creative.Theme nights are being advertised to draw in new diners and of course there are cafes in which you can cuddle a cat or hug a dog while you sip a hot beverage – innovative ideas to give an edge and get customers through the doors.
Pop ups in The UK Hospitality Sector
Even outside London we are seeing the spread of pop up restaurants – temporary eateries – which are enabling chefs to try out innovative dishes on new audiences, again to widen the target market. Sometimes pop ups are a conduit for the owners to fundraise, or enthuse investors, at a minimum cost. Empty inner city buildings are finding a new life housing pop ups, which will also help to rejuvenate those areas.
In Cheltenham, and I am sure many other towns and cities, there is a fabulous café-by-day, bistro-by-night, which predates Brexit and Covid, but its dual-offering keeps it busy all the time, I have never not had to queue in there!
Diversity and ingenuity.
If you find yourself opening a pop up or diversifying into cat or dog culture and need new contract furniture – speak to Matt, Sue, or Mike, they will match your diversity and ingenuity and find you the furniture that will perfect completely fit the bill!
