Rail strikes ‘cost UK hospitality sector £1.5bn in December alone’

Industry bodies say figure worse than predicted and expect ‘huge’ losses of businesses and jobs in 2023

The rail strikes have cost bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels in the UK at least £1.5bn in December alone and – coupled with the cost of living crisis – will result in a “huge swathe of businesses and jobs lost”, industry bodies have warned.

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, said the financial impact of train strikes on the sector was worse than expected, resulting in a “perfect storm” for businesses battling soaring energy bills and inflation that meant “undoubtedly we will see more business failures” in the next three months.