Independents expect sales and jobs to fall
Confidence among independent restaurateurs and hoteliers is plummeting as concerns over faltering consumer spending grow.
The latest quarterly survey by the Small Business Research Trust (SBRT) found 38% of hotels and restaurants expected tumbling sales over the next six months - higher than in any other sector.
And 42% of hotels and restaurants expect to make staff cuts, compared with 10% of wholesalers and retailers.
A SBRT spokesman said: "We were surprised by the findings as many commentators have been predicting a bumper year for hotels."
However this classification includes restaurants, which with the current tight consumer spending, are always one of the first business areas to go."