Quarter of licensed premises still to reopen

One in four of Britain's pubs, bars, restaurants and other licensed premises have yet to reopen despite the return of indoor service, according to new research.

Slightly more pubs than restaurants have reopened, but 45% of sports and social clubs remain closed, along with 51% of large venues and 27% of bars.

The data, from CGA and AlixPartners' Market Recovery Monitor, shows just under 25,000 venues are still shut, and illustrates the challenges faced by the hospitality sector to reopen, recover sales and preserve jobs. It indicates similar trading numbers in England (76.6%) and Scotland (77.4%), with a notably slower return in Wales (69.6%).

Thedata shows slightly more pubs have reopened than restaurants. Around nine in 10 high street pubs (92.9%), food pubs (91.8%) and community pubs (89.6%) are now back trading, 

However, social distancing and restrictions in place still make it unviable for swathes of venues to open, and 45.2% of Britain’s sports and social clubs remain closed, alongside 50% of large venues and 27% of bars. 

"The return of large parts of hospitality for indoor service was a landmark moment for consumers and businesses alike, but it is alarming to see that so many venues have still not been able to welcome guests," says Karl Chessell, CGA’s director for hospitality operators and food, EMEA. 

"Many will have decided that restrictions and space constraints make opening unviable, while some sectors like late-night bars and nightclubs are still completely off limits.

"It will be an anxious wait to see how many of the venues that are holding on until the final easing of restrictions will be able to make it through. Sustained support is clearly going to be needed to save thousands of vulnerable businesses and jobs.”

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