10,000 more hospitality businesses now than pre-Covid, study suggests
Among several surprising findings, the research discovered that licensed and unlicensed restaurants had a net growth of 1,710 business units since 2020
There are 10,000 more UK hospitality businesses now than before Covid, according to new research from Stampede and storekit using Office for National Statistics data.
The two startups said ‘The UK’s irrepressible hospitality sector: 2022 Industry Growth Report’ is “welcome news” as the UK hospitality sector emerges from another precarious Christmas period.
Stampede and storekit analysed data from the ONS’ official UK Business Count, which shows that there were 10,650 more food and drink businesses in the UK in 2021 than in March 2019, and 3,650 more than in March 2020.
Among several surprising findings, the research discovered that licensed and unlicensed restaurants had a net growth of 1,710 business units since 2020, while takeaway and catering businesses grew by 2,305 and 2,105 units respectively over the same period.
However they added that unfortunately, pubs, bars and nightclubs all decreased in number between 2019 and 2021, but they did so at a similar annual rate to the years 2010-19 (-1,715 units).
The pair said this is “indicative” of a national downturn in these industries but also demonstrates how lockdowns/capacity restrictions may have impacted the drinks trade a lot more than the food trade.
Stampede founder and CEO, Patrick Clover, said: “We analysed the data expecting the worst, and would’ve been buoyed just to see hospitality business numbers stay the same. To see the numbers go up since Covid first struck is phenomenal. It’s a great reflection of the resilience and excellence we see every day in the UK hospitality sector.
“Unfortunately, we are working through another deeply precarious situation as case numbers continue to rise, while the Government did little to support hospitality businesses during the festive season.”
