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All Economics articles
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Analysis & InsightHospitality and leisure spend up 3.5% last month
Spend growth was also highest for pubs, bars and clubs, at +4.7%, compared with +3.4% in takeaways and fast food and +0.5% for restaurants, cafes and bakeries, the latest Barclays Consumer Spend Report has found
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Analysis & InsightWhy the tough UK market makes British operators the best in the world
The UK remains one of the world’s most competitive restaurant markets, but that very difficulty is producing some of its finest operators - and pushing them to look beyond British shores for growth
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NewsMayor of London gains new powers to intervene in licensing decisions
Sadiq Khan has formally gained new powers to intervene in licensing decisions across the capital
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News‘Shocking’ visitor levy bill introduced to Parliament
UKHospitality has warned the legislation, dubbed the holiday tax bill, will increase the cost of family holidays and put hospitality jobs at risk
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NewsWetherspoon reports ‘good start’ to the financial year
Like-for-like sales for the pub giant were up 8.2% in the first 14 weeks of FY27 compared with the same period last year
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Analysis & InsightExtended summer season provides boost to UK hotel industry
Data compiled and produced by Hotstats and analysed by RSM UK shows occupancy of UK hotels rose from 85% in September 2025 to 85.6% in September 2026
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NewsMartinez Group calls for government to halve VAT
The South Wales restaurant group has spoken out about the pressures facing the sector and has said that a VAT cut from 20% to 10% would make a real difference for business operating on narrow margins.
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NewsGlobal market pressures push hospitality food prices up 0.9%
Food and drink prices paid by hospitality businesses rose by 0.9% month-on-month in September, the latest Foodservice Price Index from NIQ and Prestige Purchasing reveals
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Weekend PressOwner of Healey’s local pub warns Budget will push up price of a pint
Landlord says higher beer duty and rising employment costs are squeezing hospitality businesses, The Telegraph reports
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Weekend PressRestaurants remove lobster and steak from menus as costs soar
High-end establishments are being forced to use cheaper ingredients to balance the books, The Telegraph reports
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OpinionThe cavalry didn’t come, but was it ever going to?
The sector is rightly disappointed by the limited action taken to support businesses in this year’s budget, but it was probably the best we could have hoped for
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News‘Nobody’s coming to save us’ - restaurateurs react to budget
Restaurant operators across the UK have been left bruised by the lack of direct relief announced in this year’s budget, but remain determined to fight for future support
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NewsUK licensed premises fall below 100,000 as closures accelerate
Nearly 1,000 net closures were recorded in the past year as rising costs and weak consumer confidence continue to squeeze the sector, NIQ’s latest Hospitality Market Monitor reveals
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NewsBudget to slash up to £60m from Whitbread’s rates bill
The Premier Inn operator says it expects business rate measures announced in the UK budget to have ‘a significant positive impact’ on its financial performance
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NewsPubs praise ‘welcome steps’ in budget though increased regulation and beer duty rise frustrates
While measures to lower business rates have garnered support, the pub sector has warned the accumulation of rising employment costs and beer duty could outweigh any benefits
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NewsHospitality doubles down on VAT cut calls as missed budget opportunities highlighted
Despite some welcome small measures, the industry has been left disappointed by the lack of any wider relief
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NewsBudget 2026: Chancellor targets support at smallest businesses while wider sector left wanting
While an increase in the threshold at which operators start paying business rates is welcomed, the sector has been left disappointed by the lack of movement on VAT or NICs relief
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NewsLate night operators have ‘nowhere left’ to pass on cost pressures
The ability of nightlife businesses to recover rising operating costs through higher consumer prices is becoming increasingly constrained as consumer hit “affordability ceiling”, the Night Time Industries Association has warned.
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OpinionVAT's the problem? Not in Germany
As costs continue to mount, KERB CEO Simon Mitchell says the government must cut VAT, pointing to Germany as proof that targeted support can unlock growth, investment and entrepreneurship
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Analysis & InsightNumber of bars and restaurants in ‘significant’ distress rises
The latest Red Flag Alert research from BTG shows nearly 19,000 F&B businesses are struggling with limited financial headroom ahead of today’s make-or-break budget