APRIL'S WET WEATHER FLATLINES HOSPITALITY FIGURES

Wet weather in April affecting consumer demand, particularly in hospitality, was cited as a key reason for the economy failing to grow. According to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the economy did not grow in April 2024.

Monthly real gross domestic product is estimated to have shown no growth in April 2024, following growth of 0.4% in March 2024. Wetter weather over the month of April has been blamed as a contributor to the declining figures, with food and beverage services falling by 1.2%.

'Flatlining economy in April'
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The flatlining economy in April underlines just how important hospitality is as a driver of growth. When hospitality suffers, as it did in April due to wet weather dampening consumer demand, the economy suffers too.

“It’s clear that hospitality is a bellwether for the nation’s economic performance, which reinforces the need for an incoming government to act swiftly to create the right conditions for the sector to thrive.

“Fixing business rates, reforming the Apprenticeship Levy and reducing employment costs are all crucial measures that will allow hospitality to grow and create places where people want to live, work and invest.”

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