Number of hotel/restaurant startups and closures
The Small Business Service figures on VAT registrations and deregistrations show the annual number of hospitality businesses that have opened or closed in the UK.
Startups: VAT registrations 1995-2001 by industry
The number of enterprises registering for VAT each year. This is an indicator of the number of business startups. It excludes most of the very smallest one-person businesses.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
| Hotels | 805 | 725 | 870 | 875 | 940 | 925 | 895 |
| Restaurants | 6,830 | 7,175 | 7,975 | 8,060 | 8,370 | 8,630 | 8,755 |
| Bars | 6,960 | 6,965 | 6,745 | 6,835 | 7,185 | 7,560 | 8,425 |
| Canteens and catering | 565 | 660 | 685 | 715 | 705 | 770 | 785 |
Closures: VAT deregistrations 1995-2001 by industry
The number of businesses deregistering from VAT each year. This is an indicator of the number of closures. Again, it excludes most of the very smallest one-person businesses.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
| Hotels | 2,230 | 1,375 | 1,205 | 1,205 | 1,275 | 1,180 | 1,105 |
| Restaurants | 7,400 | 7,080 | 7,240 | 7,385 | 7,985 | 7,770 | 7,635 |
| Bars | 7,845 | 7,395 | 7,105 | 6,845 | 6,980 | 6,910 | 6,055 |
| Canteens and catering | 495 | 530 | 580 | 635 | 560 | 640 | 620 |
Business stock: enterprises registered for VAT at the start of the year 1995-2002 by industry
The number of enterprises registered for VAT at the start of the year. This is an indicator of the size of the business population. Since more than 99% of registered companies employ fewer than 50 people, it is also an indicator of the small business population.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | |
| Hotels | 13,385 | 11,960 | 11,310 | 10,975 | 10,645 | 10,645 | 10,055 | 9,840 |
| Restaurants | 44,570 | 44,000 | 44,095 | 44,830 | 45,505 | 45,890 | 46,750 | 47,870 |
| Bars | 44,075 | 43,190 | 42,760 | 42,400 | 42,390 | 42,595 | 43,245 | 45,615 |
| Canteens and catering | 3,415 | 3,485 | 3,615 | 3,615 | 3,800 | 3,945 | 4,075 | 4,240 |
Source:The Small Business Service
