Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw sales drop just 1% in June from the same month in 2019, the new edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.
The Tracker, produced by CGA in partnership with The Coffer Group and RSM, shows sales were nearly level on both a total and like-for-like basis. Consumer demand was particularly strong in restaurants, where total sales were up by 3% in June. Pubs recorded a 2% drop, with mixed weather and restrictions dampening any benefit from the Euro 2020 football tournament. Sales were down by 11% in bars, where social distancing and early closing requirements continue to impact footfall.
June’s performance is a significant improvement on May, when total sales were down by 26% on May 2019. The Tracker indicates a particularly good month for regions beyond London: sales outside the M25 were up 4% in June, but down by 11% inside the M25.
Many operators continue to benefit from strong delivery and takeaway sales, which CGA’s separate Hospitality at Home Tracker shows have more than tripled from pre-COVID levels. Higher average spend by some consumers after the end of lockdown also contributed to the solid month.
However, the Tracker also confirms the lasting impact of the pandemic on hospitality, with managed groups’ sales in the 12 months to June 2021 down by 27% on the previous 12 months. Research for the CGA and AlixPartners Market Recovery Monitor meanwhile shows that Britain now has around 9,000 fewer licensed premises than it did a year ago.
Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA, said: “June’s figures are testament to the enduring appeal of restaurants, pubs and bars and the resilience of the businesses behind them. With an easing of COVID restrictions imminent, it suggests a bright outlook for the eating and drinking out sector. However, rising costs and limited capacity mean many businesses are still struggling to make a profit, and major challenges including debt burdens and a recruitment crisis are casting a long shadow. Hospitality remains fragile, and it will need sustained support and concessions from government in the months ahead if it is to help drive the UK’s economic recovery.”
Mark Sheehan, managing director at Coffer Corporate Leisure, said: “The June numbers are strong. Let’s not pretend that the road ahead is going to be smooth but what is clear is that consumers want to eat and drink out and the trend is upwards. This continues to be a difficult time, but optimism remains in the hospitality sector.
Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM, said: “June saw a strong return to restaurants and pubs as the heatwave early in the month encouraged many consumers to get out in the sunshine and socialise. The easing of restrictions later this month should provide more opportunities for get-togethers although it’s clear that a combination of Brexit, Covid restrictions and test and trace continue to have a huge impact on staffing availability. This squeeze in the labour market for a sector that is so heavily dependent on people is likely to dampen sales over the coming months. The finances of many operators remain on a knife-edge and the Government needs to consider a relaxation of visa barriers for hospitality workers to support the sector’s recovery.”
