Britain’s hospitality scene ebbs into September with a modest 1.7% lift
In a recent snapshot from the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker, the top UK hotel and restaurant chains reported hovering growth of 1.7% over the same month last year. While it’s a tiny uptick, it’s the eighth month straight that these operators have seen a like‑for‑like boost, signalling persistence in a market that’s still battling a handful of hurdles.
From the numbers desk
- Managed pubs: +1.5% in July, +1.3% in August, now matching inflation at +1.7%.
- Whole‑sector sales (new venues included): +3.7% in September.
- Restaurants: +3.2% like‑for‑like—double what pubs saw.
- Bars: -3.8% – still on a downward slide.
- On‑the‑go (take‑away) segment: +4.3%.
City vibes vs. the countryside
Even with tax season looming, London’s inner‑city restaurants edged past last year by only +1.3%, while venues outside the M25 pulled ahead by a solid +1.9%. A testament that tourists may still favour scenic spottings over bustling city streets.
Managerial musings
“It’s been one wild ride—summer sunshine gave us a boost in 2023, but September’s gloomy cloud‑ed days made it tough to sustain real‑terms growth,” said Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators. “Pubs did the direction of the rain, flipping people’s expectations: ‘No patio, great inside!’ These weather shifts keep the sector on its toes.”
Saxon Moseley of the RSM UK added: “While the headline growth looks steady, the buzz around the government’s upcoming Autumn Budget is stalling consumer confidence. Coupled with a slap‑on‑the‑back from new employment laws—tipping rules, higher National Minimum Wage, potential National Insurance hikes—the industry feels the squeeze.”
Looking ahead
There’s a silver lining though: the turning point of the year is just on the horizon, and a tailwind may come from the side‑effect of a policy‑focused budget. The hospitality world is keeping overtime clocks ticking, hoping that the final quarter can outshine the slow summer dip.
