‘Train strikes to cost restaurants £540 million’

Restaurants will be hit hard by this week’s rail strikes, UKHospitality has warned, putting further financial strain on an already beleaguered industry.

The lobby group estimates a UK-wide loss of £540 million over the coming week, representing a 20 per cent drop in sales from £2.75 billion – the projected revenue for a typical week in June.

‘For a devastated hospitality industry beginning its tentative post-pandemic recovery, the planned strike action couldn’t come at a worse time, and might deliver a fatal financial blow to those businesses already struggling to survive,’ Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, said.

With roughly half of all railway lines across the country unable to run on June 21, 23, and 25, London Underground lines closed on June 21 and an official warning to avoid trains where possible, staff shortages and reduced consumer mobility will cost the sector.

‘Fragile consumer confidence will take a further hit, thousands of people able and willing to spend money in hospitality venues across the country will be prevented from doing so, while staff will undoubtedly struggle to even get to work,’ Nicholls continued.

‘We should all be pulling in the same direction if we’re to get the UK economy back on track, and want to see urgent and productive talks to avoid widespread disruption.’

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