Latest tube and rail strikes could cost hospitality 'as much as £600m'

Hospitality businesses are continuing to suffer millions in lost sales as a result of the dispute, which will see rail strikes on 16, 18, and 30 March and 1 April, with knock-on disruption on 17 and 31 March.

“This week’s rail and tube strikes will heap further disruption on hospitality, particularly in central London,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality.

“Our pubs, bars, coffee shops, hotels and restaurants, to name a few, continue to suffer as collateral damage, with total lost sales since the start of the dispute last year now expected to reach more than £3bn.”

UKHospitality analysis shows that nationwide hospitality could lose as much as £530m as a result of rail strikes between today (16 March) and 1 April. It also suggests that venues in London could have lost as much as £69m as a result of the tube strike yesterday (15 March).

“The disruption impacts are felt far and wide,” Nicholls continues. 

“Businesses lose crucial sales, workers are often unable to work and earn, and the public are forced to cancel plans with family and friends.

“As we approach the valuable Easter season and head towards the summer, it’s essential that all sides continue negotiations as a matter of urgency and reach a resolution that avoids even more disruption that impacts workers, consumers and businesses.”