Brits keen to visit their local hospitality businesses ‘as soon as possible’

Almost a third (31%) of Brits are planning to go to the pub within a week of being allowed to do so, increasing to 53% in London, and 30% plan to dine out within a week of restaurants reopening.

New research by jobs board Caterer.com suggests 63% of Brits want to get back to their local pubs, bars and restaurants as soon as possible, providing the right safety measures are in place.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults earlier this month found that 51% were keen for hospitality to get ‘back to normal’, 35% pledged to dine out more and 43% plan on tipping more than they would have pre-lockdown.

The survey also explored the measures customers would like to see in place, with 62% saying they would feel comfortable eating in restaurants that occupied every other table only and 55% would rather hospitality businesses only allowed groups of up to four people per table. Buffet-style restaurants would be avoided by 70% until a vaccine is found.

Consumers would even be prepared to pay a premium for enhanced cleaning in restaurants, bars and pubs (41%) and also for social distancing practices (40%).

Other suggestions from customers to help make them feel comfortable included: • 54% think hand sanitiser should be provided for all customers and staff • 47% would like all staff to be trained on a new cleaning protocol • 36% think social distancing managers should be implemented • 22% think all staff should wear PPE • 18% think they should be able to order their meals digitally.

And 67% believe the government should provide support to hospitality businesses that need it in order to survive.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive from UKHospitality, said: “Consumer confidence is going to be key once businesses begin to reopen. It is going to be a long, hard road back to normality and venues are going to need the support of their communities. If the government wants to boost confidence further they can help us provide safe venues by cutting hospitality VAT, one of the objectives in our #Fair4Hospitality campaign.

“It is encouraging to see that so many people are eager to support hospitality in their communities as soon as possible. It highlights what a fantastic social asset these businesses are and the great work our sector does all around the country.”

Neil Pattison, director at Caterer.com, added: “While this has been an incredibly painful time for the sector, it’s encouraging to see the public have a huge appreciation for what it provides to communities. There is strong appetite to support these businesses and workers in getting back on their feet.”

The UK government is hoping to reopen areas of hospitality from 4 July, with sector-specific health and safety measures expected to be published in the coming weeks.

UKHospitality launches #Fair4Hospitality roadmap for reopening sector on 4 July >>

Government confirms 'ambition' to open some hospitality venues, including pubs and hotels, from 4 July >>