07/03/2023 09:45:00
Northern cities such as York and Newcastle are leading a bounce back in industry sales after the pandemic, according to new research. The State of the North study from CGA by NielsenIQ showed that average sales per hospitality venue in York increased by 16% between 2019 and 2022, which was almost four times the national average growth rate of 4.1%. York was closely followed by Newcastle, which saw a 14.2% rise in restaurant and bar sales, while there was a 10.5% increase in Chester and a 6.9% boost in Manchester. In contrast, sales in London have dropped by 6.5% compared to 2019 levels. The Caterer reports that the number of licensed restaurants and bars in the capital is also now 17.7% lower than it was before the pandemic.
The government has updated its Hospitality Strategy and set out the ways it is supporting the sector to overcome challenges including in job vacancies and licensing. Originally launched in 2021 by the then Business Minister, Paul Scully, the strategy saw the creation of a Hospitality Council tasked with seeking solutions to the sector's post-pandemic issues, reports Big Hospitality. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said the update showed 'substantial progress' that has already been made in the sector's recovery, and the clear value in working closely with government.
Hotel management company RBH Hospitality Management has been selected by Reuben Brothers to manage The Olde Bell and Thames Riviera in Maidenhead. As of 1 March 2023, both properties have come under the management of RBH, taking the company's total number of rooms under management to over 7,000. Thames Riviera is in the process of re-opening after a period of closure to facilitate a full refurbishment. The Olde Bell is a historic inn with parts of the building dating back to 1135, reports Boutique Hotel News.
The latest GO Technology report from leading hospitality tech provider Zonal and insight firm CGA by NielsenIQ, reveals that the majority of consumers (81%) are planning to stay in a UK hotel in 2023, as cost-of-living pressures deter them from taking trips abroad, advises Caterer Licensee Hotelier News. The survey of more than 2,000 UK consumers highlights the continued opportunity for domestic hotel visits in 2023, with nearly half (44%) of consumers saying that they will avoid hotel stays overseas due to cost-of-living increases. A further 39% said they'd be 'staycationing' simply because they would prefer to travel within the UK rather than abroad this year, up 12% from 2022.
Roxy Leisure has announced Ben Warren as Managing Director as they ramp up the business' expansion plans, reports Hospitality & Catering News.