The sunny weather over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend provided a significant boost to restaurant, pub and bar operators.
Barclaycard Payments data showed fast food was 25% up, compared to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 2019, and 35.3% up compared to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 2021.
Pubs, bars and night clubs were 74.0% up compared to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 2019.
Restaurants were 35.2% compared to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 2019, and 116.2% up compared to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 2021.
Harshna Cayley, head of online payments, Barclaycard Payments said: “The sunny weather combined with the first restriction free Easter Weekend since 2019 lifted the spirits of Brits as they enjoyed days out and took supported businesses as they return to normal operations across the UK. Our data shows that many experience–led businesses alongside food and drink retailers received a significant boost in trade, which will no doubt be welcome news against the wider backdrop of concerns around the cost of living. As many Brits get back to work, businesses will be hopeful that the recent spell of warmer weather returns in time for the next Bank Holiday in early May”.
