Hospitality industry to lose £540m due to rail strikes

The rail strikes that have hit the country this week are estimated to have cost the hospitality industry £540m according to research by UKHospitality.

Travel disruption comes as the rail industry faces the biggest strike in 30 years across England, Scotland and Wales, with around 40,000 Network Rail staff expected to take part in the strike.

Chief Executive Kate Nicholls, said: “For a devastated hospitality industry beginning its tentative post-pandemic recovery, the planned strike action couldn’t come at a worse time, and might deliver a fatal financial blow to those businesses already struggling to survive.”

About half of all rail lines have been closed across Britain on 21^st, 23^rd and 25^th June, with passengers advised not to travel on trains unless necessary. As a result, services will be operating at reduced hours from 7:30am to 18:30pm.

Nicholls continued: “Fragile consumer confidence will take a further hit, thousands of people able and willing to spend money in hospitality venues across the country will be prevented from doing so, while staff will undoubtedly struggle to even get to work.

“We should all be pulling in the same direction if we’re to get the UK economy back on track and want to see urgent and productive talks to avoid widespread disruption.”

Have you noticed an impact on your business’ footfall due to the rail strikes? If so, message your opinion to [email protected].