Rail strikes will cost hospitality sector almost £600m, UKH warns

Rail and tube strikes happening across the country this week will cost the hospitality sector almost £600m, trade body UKHospitality has announced.

Rail strikes are set to happen on the 16th, 18th, 30th of March and 1st of April meanwhile hospitality venues in London are also going to be affected by the tube strikes today (15th of March) and could lose as much as £69m. 

The dispute that propelled rail strikes appears to be over pay and job cuts, with unions demanding salaries that reflect the rising cost of living. As a result, the strikes are likely to affect other areas, and the hospitality sector is one of them. 

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “This week’s rail and tube strikes will heap further disruption on hospitality, particularly in central London, with the potential to cost the sector as much as £600 million in lost sales. Our pubs, bars, coffee shops, hotels and restaurants, to name a few, continue to suffer as collateral damage, with total lost sales since the start of the dispute last year now expected to reach more than £3bn.

“The disruption impacts are felt far and wide. Businesses lose crucial sales, workers are often unable to work and earn, and the public are forced to cancel plans with family and friends.”

She added: “As we approach the valuable Easter season and head towards the summer, it’s essential that all sides continue negotiations as a matter of urgency and reach a resolution that avoids even more disruption that impacts workers, consumers and businesses.”