Rail strikes cost hospitality £600 million

The combined rail and tube strikes taking place across the country this week are set to cost hospitality as much as £600m, according to leading trade body UKHospitality (UKH).

Hospitality businesses continue to suffer millions in lost sales as a result of the dispute, which is also significantly impacting workers and consumers.

Analysis by UKH shows that the industry could lose as much as £530m as a result of rail strikes on the 16, 18 and 30 March and 1 April, including knock-on disruption on the 17 and 31 March. Hospitality venues in London could lose as much as £69m as a result of the tube strike on the 15 March.

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls comments: "This week’s rail and tube strikes will heap further disruption on hospitality, particularly in central London, with the potential to cost the sector as much as £600 million in lost sales. Our pubs, bars, coffee shops, hotels and restaurants, to name a few, continue to suffer as collateral damage, with total lost sales since the start of the dispute last year now expected to reach more than £3bn.

"The disruption impacts are felt far and wide. Businesses lose crucial sales, workers are often unable to work and earn, and the public are forced to cancel plans with family and friends.

"As we approach the valuable Easter season and head towards the summer, it’s essential that all sides continue negotiations as a matter of urgency and reach a resolution that avoids even more disruption that impacts workers, consumers and businesses."

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