Worker Shortage curtails hospitality's growth

Leading hospitality trade bodies have united to highlight the untapped potential of hospitality to drive economic growth, as new survey data from CGA Insight on behalf of the sector shows that 61% of hospitality businesses are experiencing staff shortages and have widely reduced their trading hours and days as a result.

The data, collected by the British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKHospitality shows that almost 40% are reducing trading hours. Of those, hours have reduced by up to 74% midweek and 42% at the weekend. That loss of trading has seen two-thirds report a sales decline of up to 25%.

In a joint statement the trade bodies said: “We saw during the recent World Cup final just what hospitality can deliver. The sector saw a huge 33% uplift in sales, even as this new data shows that almost two-thirds of venues are running short of staff.

“Just think what we can deliver if our hospitality outlets were able to recruit the positions they need. If hospitality was running at full capacity, the sector could generate rapid economic growth thus creating thousands of jobs and supporting local communities. Unfortunately, the reality is that with 60% of businesses unable to adequately recruit, they have had no choice but to curtail their trading, which is why it’s frustrating that we have seen little progress in addressing these shortages and that our hospitality venues, continue to plead for a better recruitment environment, particularly from overseas”.

There’s a big chef shortage

The survey reveals that chefs remain the most difficult position to recruit, with up to 79% of respondents experiencing chef vacancies. Businesses also have high levels of vacancies for front of house staff (70%), kitchen porters (59%), brewery staff (57%) and housekeeping (52%).

The data follows reporting that the Government is seeking to expand the Youth Mobility Scheme to other countries, of which hospitality bodies are supportive. In addition, the sector continues to call for the Shortage Occupation List to be expanded and for wider reform of skills and training, with a particular focus on addressing economic inactivity.

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