A new survey reveals how almost every hospitality business has seen steep increases in wages and food costs.

Year-on-year, 95% of hospitality businesses have experienced increased wage costs. It’s a similar story for food (89%), insurance (84%) and energy (57%) costs. That’s according to findings of a new survey by the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping, Hospitality Ulster and UKHospitality.

As new inflation figures reveal today, inflation in hospitality remains notably higher than the headline rate would suggest.

Hospitality businesses are overwhelmingly in favour of reforming business rates, a government manifesto commitment, to help reduce costs, which must be a priority at the Budget, with 80% of respondents clear it would have a positive impact on their business. 

In addition to business rates reform, businesses said both a VAT reduction for hospitality (85%) and a reduction in alcohol duty (34%) would be an important measure to allow their business to grow. 

In a joint statement, the trade bodies said: “It’s crystal clear that there is an overwhelming desire from the hospitality sector that the Government rapidly delivers on its manifesto commitment to replace business rates and reduce the burden on high street businesses, as well as continue current support.

“Hospitality continues to remain an outlier sector, with costs continuing to rise sharply compared to the rest of the economy. 

“With cost increases affecting almost every venue, this vital sector is being prevented from investing in businesses and communities, which would boost economic growth and new jobs. Instead, they’re having to use dwindling cash reserves just to pay the bills.

“The clock is ticking, with a cliff-edge looming on April 1 when relief ends and rates are set to increase again. Inaction would see bills spiral yet further, putting venues under increased threat of closure. 

“Alongside our members, we hope to see clear and decisive action toward delivering on the Government’s manifesto commitment from the Chancellor at the Budget in October.”

• New Sky Business data shows that 73% of fans agree that the increased number of EFL games on television from next season will give them more reasons to visit pubs 
• This comes on the back of Sky’s announcement of the launch of Sky Sports+, which will allow venues to show over 1,000 EFL games a season
• With a connected Sky Q box, venues will be able to enjoy four times more matches from the EFL with every team featured over 20 times a season

Sky Business have released new data which shows that 73% of fans say that the increased number of EFL games on television from next season will give them more reasons to visit pubs. The research also found that over 8 in 10 fans viewers say that they are interested in the EFL, showing that it has widespread appeal among sports fans. 

Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be transformational in the amount of choice venues will have access to via live streams and a dedicated new channel. With more coverage than ever before from the EFL, both tennis Tours and men’s Super League, venues with a connected Sky Q box will be able to stream over 50% more live sport this year.
 
Sky Sports+ comes at the start of a new long-term and landmark partnership with the EFL, with over 1,000 EFL games a season featuring every team more than 20 times and every Championship club on at least 24 occasions. The scale of Sky Sports+ will be evident from the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season, which began last Friday 9th August, with every game from the Championship, League One and League Two streamed live – a first in broadcasting history. 

 

Sky Sports+ will make it easier for venues to browse, discover and show the sport that matters most to their customers. Venues with a connected Sky Q box will have the ability to choose up to 100 live events via concurrent streams, giving more opportunity to drive footfall, spend and dwell time than ever before. And the new dedicated Sky Sports+ TV channel will showcase a selection of the best live sport. 

 

In addition to this enhanced EFL offering, as part of Sky’s new four-year deal with the Premier League, its exclusively live coverage will increase by 70% with up to 100 more matches each season, from 2025/26. Over 80% of live broadcast Premier League matches will be on Sky Sports, and customers can expect at least four live games every week. 

James Tweddle, Director of Hospitality at Sky Business said: 
 
“Sky is the undisputed home for sport fans in the UK and we’re excited to bring pubs even more of the sports their customers love this season. 
 
“The launch of Sky Sports+ is fantastic news for our hospitality customers. Venues with a connected Sky Q box will have more flexibility to choose which match they show, meaning they can select the games that matter most to their customers. 
 
“With all 72 teams from across the EFL shown at least 20 times throughout the season - plus every game from the entirety of the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy – venues can now offer a more localised, personalised sports viewing experience to help boost trade throughout the week.” 

The full Sky Sports package includes an unrivalled line-up of sport and record audiences tuned in during 2023. Football fans can watch more coverage of domestic leagues with Sky Sports than any other broadcaster, including Premier League, EFL, SPFL, and WSL. Through long-term deals, sport fans can continue to enjoy award-winning coverage of Formula 1 and England domestic cricket. 2024 has also seen the return of tennis and a ground-breaking Super League deal where every match will be covered live. This, on top every golf Major, NFL, netball, darts, boxing, summer rugby union internationals, means that Sky Sports has something for every sports fan.