This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Majority of drinkers satisfied with Covid-19 safety steps
As the UK on-trade reopens its doors, 80% of drinkers said they were very satisfied with coronavirus safety measures implemented by pubs and bars, according to new research.
Bars and restaurants across England reopened on 4 July
Pubs and bars in England were able to reopen on 4 July, following months of enforced closures implemented in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.
According to research from the We Hear You initiative from analysts CGA and Yumpingo, and trade group UK Hospitality, nine in 10 visitors to UK bars said they were either very satisfied (80%) or satisfied (14%) with safety steps in the venues they visited.
The survey found that 94% of consumers were satisfied with the way venue teams followed hygiene practices and 97% of those polled were satisfied with general cleanliness. The majority of those polled (54%) said precautions hadn’t impacted their visit.
The poll of 2,000 UK drinkers also found that 82% of people were now very likely to recommend venues to family and friends.
Weekend sales remain down
The CGA has also published figures for the total drinks sales in England’s managed pubs and bars, which remained around half of pre-Covid-19 levels on the second Saturday (11 July) after reopening.
According to the Drinks Recovery Tracker, which compares average daily drink sales to the equivalent day in 2019, sales were down 51% on Saturday (11 July). Sales fell by 49% the previous week, when pubs and bars could first reopen their doors.
However, drinks sales were markedly better on Sunday (12 July), down 41% on the equivalent day last year. Sales the previous Sunday (5 July) were down 52%.
Spirits performed roughly in line with the market on Saturday at a decline of 52% but performed better on Sunday at a drop of 33%.
The Tracker is also picking up weekday trading, and those numbers show that the market has mid-week challenges with total drinks sales in managed pubs and bars on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday down 58%, 62% and 56%, respectively.