Survey shows majority of Brits miss restaurants and cafés
The survey, which asked 4,000 people about the personal impact the Coronavirus crisis had had on them, showed that visiting restaurants, cafés and coffee shops are top of the list of things British people have missed doing during lockdown.
When asked to choose which three social activities they missed the most from a list of 17 suggested choices, 42% cited visiting cafés and coffee shops, the second highest preference after visiting friends and family at 60%.
Visiting restaurants was cited by 29% of respondents and featured fourth on the list; while going to pubs and bars was fifth with 19%.
Other activities that featured further down the list included visiting the cinema; going to museums; and attending sporting events.
However, the majority of respondents also said they do not think businesses should be reopened while there is still a threat to people's health.
CEO of Allegra Strategies Jeffrey Young says the Government needs to set out a concrete action plan for how the hospitality industry will return, and how it could protect the millions of people working in the sector.
“The hospitality industry is one of the worst affected sectors of our economy,” he says.
“And yet these environments such as our local coffee shops and restaurants are predominantly linked to our socialisation and a lot of local community engagement.
“Hospitality is a major part of the British economy and fabric of our society. The warmth of hospitality is what we all yearn for. It is where we celebrate life events, where we meet friends for a catch-up. Our restaurants, coffee shops and pubs are at the very heart of British life.
“They have also become a reason to go to the high street. They are a natural addendum to the shopping trip.
“Social distancing measures will undoubtedly have a long term and profound impact on the sector. Even where there is enough footfall the rate at which restaurants can accommodate people (in terms of reducing table numbers) will be far lower, which leads to less revenue and lower staff numbers.
“The impact on hospitality workers, of which there are millions, is quite catastrophic and heartbreaking.
“The Government has done much to help so far but I truly believe that the only way forward is to have flexible furlough for a far longer period to help this sector.”
