Holidays and good weather to drive summer trading boost for UK hospitality

The UK hospitality sector is forecast to be in for a boost in trading thanks to holidays and good weather during the summer months, new research has shown.

 

Data from RSM UK’s Consumer Outlook revealed that more than half (53%) of those surveyed plan to spend more on eating and drinking out due to improved weather, while almost a third (31%) said they will increase spending over the holiday period.

 

It comes after a quarter of consumers said they were spending more to cheer on their home nations during the World Cup.

 

However, more than a third (35%) pointed out the increase in spend was due to higher prices.

 

Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said: “The combination of warmer weather, summer holidays and major sporting events, such as the World Cup, are giving consumers a good reason to spend more on eating and drinking out – delivering a timely boost to UK hospitality during the summer months.

 

“However, it’s important to look beneath the headline figures. While many consumers are planning to spend more to socialise more, a significant proportion expect that increase to be driven by higher prices.

 

“The temporary VAT reduction on children’s activities and meals should provide some support for families looking for affordable days out, but consumer spending remains highly sensitive to both the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather and the wider cost-of-living backdrop.

 

“If the favourable weather conditions continue, then operators could see strong trading over the summer. However, this is expected to be a short-term boost as budget speculation and increased tensions in the Middle East dampen confidence and spending in the second half of the year. For now, operators need to make hay while the sun shines.”