A survey carried out by CGA in the UK found that most of the public would heed the Prime Minister’s advice and stop going out to pubs and restaurants.
The snap poll reported that most younger adults said they would cut-down but not stop.
The survey found that 58% of consumers who visited pubs, bars and restaurants would stop visiting, in line with government advice, with a further 28% suggesting that they will visit less frequently. But as many as 14% said they planned to visit at least as often, to show support to the sector, among the under 24s, only around a third said they would stop going out to eat and drink, although half would cut back.
When asked about the decision taken by the government to discourage social gatherings, only 14% cited it as “overly drastic and unnecessary at this stage”, with 49% suggesting that it “seems like the right course of action”. Over a third (34%) said that “more should be being done” and that the government should advise people to avoid more venues.
Peter Martin, VP, CGA, said: “For the hospitality sector itself, the results are both good and bad news. They show some people are still willing to go out, but not in anywhere enough numbers to sustain business. By not ordering pub and restaurant closures, operators have been left in limbo, without insurance cover if they close, but not enough trade to pay wages, without specific and major government aid.”