Hospitality Ulster survey reveals sector experienced its worst performance ever over Christmas

By Q Radio News

A Hospitality Ulster Trading Performance survey has shown that the sector experienced its worst performance in living memory over the Christmas period.

The latest data shows that at least 1 in 2 members saw sales fall by more than half in the week after Christmas.

It also shows that almost all members have been negatively affected by the government messaging on limiting contacts and the additional restrictions introduced on December 22 and brought into force on December 26 as a consequence of the emergence of the Omicron strain of the virus.

The deterioration over the New Year period when the restrictions came into place are particularly striking in terms of the significant increase in the share of members reporting sales down by over 70%. 

Around 1 in 5 members report beverage and food sales down by more than 70% in the week commencing December 27 compared to the same week in 2019. 

This is even higher for accommodation sales with 44% of hotels reporting that sales were down by over 70% for that week, reflecting a significant down turn also in food and beverage sales.

The organisation says it is disappointed that a £40m payment fund designed to support hospitality businesses affected by new Omicron restrictions announced in the run up to Christmas has been delayed by a week.

Chief Executive Colin Neill is now calling on the Executive to provide the crucial grant assistance.

Details of the scheme were supposed to be published earlier this week but the Department of Finance says this will now not happen until next week.

Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 will be available to more than 3,200 eligible businesses.

Eligible businesses include nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, pubs/bars, social clubs or private members’ clubs. 

Sports clubs are not eligible.

Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive Colin Neill