UK predicted to spend £2.5 billion now that indoor hospitality has reopened

After the last year of near-constant lockdowns, the hospitality industry is set to have a much-needed boom in sales now that doors have finally reopened properly. Although many hospitality venues had been allowed to open already with outside seating, it will be a much-needed boost and comfort for many to finally be allowed inside again. With the rest of May’s weather forecast looking miserable, this change will be welcomed by many. So much so that a recent study by VoucherCodes.co.uk, and in conjunction with The Centre of Retail Research (CRR), has predicted that 104 million people headed out to hospitality venues in the week beginning 17th May.

An incredible first week

In the first week of reopening indoors, hospitality venues were expected to have seated a whopping 13.6 million eager customers. These eager customers were set to spend an impressive £298.6 million as they enjoyed their first drink and meal out since December 2020. Many businesses will be grateful for the boosted custom that indoor bookings provide. In the coming weeks, this is set to steadily increase, with Fridays and Saturdays looking to be the busiest days. It’s predicted that on the first Friday and Saturday alone, a total of 34.4 million people made bookings, spending an incredible £815.3 million.

Making up for lost time

The report also highlights just how eager customers are to make up for lost time, as predicted sales for the week of 17th May are significantly higher than average. When you compare the same week of 2019, venues are set to see a 34.8% increase in sales. These findings come as VoucherCodes releases a new report with the CRR, Life After COVID, which examines the future for the hospitality industry in 2021 and 2022 as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. With all these predicted figures, it’s clear to see that we, as a nation, are just as excited to help these businesses survive and even thrive. Throughout 2021, and despite hospitality being closed from January to April, sales are forecast to see a considerable increase of 63.3%.

Looking ahead to 2022

Looking ahead to 2022, and the statistics seem even more promising. According to the report, the Looking ahead to 2022, and the statistics seem even more promising. According to the report, the hospitality industry is set to have a bumper year as people enjoy no restrictions for the first time in nearly 2 years. Hospitality businesses are set to take in £120.5 billion in sales by the end of 2022, which is a massive £40 billion more than this year.