Majority of operators see like-for-like sales plummet after reopening

A further 25% of respondents reported revenues being down, but by less than 50%; while 5% felt revenue remained the same, and 3% reporting an improvement.

Despite this, one in three members who reopened on 4 July said takings since reopening were ‘better than expected’. 

Another 46% said it was ‘as expected’, with the remaining 22% finding revenues were worse than anticipated.

Asked about capacity given social distancing requirements, 49% of respondents said they were operating at between 50% and 75% of their normal capacity.

Just 14% were operating between 75% and 100% of their usual capacity, with 34% operating between 25% and 50%.

“We really can’t understate the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry," says HOSPA CEO Jane Pendlebury.

"Revenues have been decimated in the past few months, but we’re keen to look for any positives.

"And whilst we are set for ongoing difficulties for some time to come, the fact that some have seen better than anticipated trade is certainly good to hear.

"With safety measures (so far) seeming to work, and guests (so far) seeming to abide by them, we’re hoping that, as an industry, we can build on this initial positivity to try and bounce back – with recent government initiatives also helping us in this.”