A leading landlord warned that the price of a pint could rise by 50p following a “brutal” start to the year.
Chairman of City Pub Company Clive Watson said ‘pub inflation’ was running at about 10 per cent following ‘non-existent’ sales earlier this month.
According to him, firms were taking a beating as prices for beer, food, and energy soared as they battle inflation and other supply chain challenges.
Tiffany and Lucy, the fathers of Made in Chelsea stars Tiffany and Lucy, said that it is ‘fantastic” that January sales have reached ‘normal levels’.
This is amid concerns about the potential damage hybrid work will cause to the hospitality sector.
Bosses feared that employees would only come to work in the middle part of the week, which could lead to a loss of trade.
Friday is an important day for companies as workers from the office spill into bars and restaurants in city centres.
Clive Watson, chairman of City Pub Company (pictured), said that pub inflation was at approximately 10 percent after “non-existent” sales earlier in the month. Pictured with Tiffany and Lucy:
According to him, firms, including The Phene in Chelsea (which his firm also owns), are taking a beating as prices rise for beer, food, and labour while they fight inflation, the pandemic, and other supply chain issues.
Watson stated that a large beer supplier told Mr Watson at the beginning of the year, that beer prices would rise by 7 percent.
He was critical of the increase in energy costs and food prices that were rising, and he also criticized the increasing labour and employment costs.
He said that pub inflation was at around 10 percent and the pint price was increasing by 40p-50p.
The Today show featured his addition: “The first Week.” [of January]To be brutally honest it was very difficult and the January was quiet even for normal January. Sales just almost non-existent.
Tiffany and Lucy, the Made in Chelsea star fathers (pictured), said that it is ‘fantastic sales’ are “getting to levels comparable to a normal January”.
“Suddenly about ten Days ago, it almost seemed that someone had flicked an switch. And suddenly sales began building and momentum started building. We are now at levels comparable to a normal January. This is incredible.
Watson said that more people are returning to work because it is not only to benefit the hotel industry but also to improve the working environment for everyone.
“Every junior employee needs a mentor. All junior employees need to be able go to an office person to support their role, which is something they cannot do from home. This helps to build a positive culture inside a business.
“I believe you bring a little flexibility into the office-work environment, but it is very important that office workers feel energized to return to work and to collaborate with their coworkers.
But Deputy General Secretary at the Trades Union Congress Paul Novak said ‘the language’ around working from home has been ‘unhelpful’.
“It’s important to recall that many people worked in workplaces during the pandemic. This includes those in supermarkets, care homes, factories, and other places.
“But, there will be significant number of people beginning to return to work from this week. I believe that employers should have rational conversations with employees about when that will occur, how long it will take, what the timeframe, what people prefer to work and, most importantly, what employers can do to make sure that people feel safe at their place of employment.
Watson, (pictured), said that a major supplier of beer had informed the chain in the beginning of the year about a possible increase in beer prices.
Business leaders over the weekend warned a permanent shift to hybrid working would be another blow to struggling pubs, bars and restaurants and shops.
They said ‘tw*ts’ – those who work part-time from home and only come into offices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – threaten a full economic recovery.
As official data showed that Plan B restrictions had hit retailers harder than they expected, sales volumes fell by 3.7 percent last month. This heightened fears.
Clothing shops and departmental stores suffered the most, with figures from the Office for National Statistics showing a much worse drop than expected at 0.6%.
Charlie Mullins is the founder of Pimlico Plumbing. He stated that: “I have never believed working from home. The faster we get back, the better.”
“It will be very difficult because people are used to it. It’s becoming their right.
It’s created so much economic damage and so much workplace damage, because there will always be people who say they can do this at home. Everyone says they are more productive.
But I believe that it is more productive to get the garden done, your car washed, and make friends.
“It was a disaster since day one. Although we had to have restrictions, the government’s decision to make people work from home is one of the most outrageous things they’ve done.
He said, “Hopefully, people will return to cafes and restaurants, bars, and that it will save them their jobs.”
Chief Executive of UK Hospitality Kate Nicholls, said if the TW*T trend – referring to working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – hardens businesses will be forced to squeeze five days worth of sales into the middle of the week.
Although she stated yesterday that it’s too soon to say, she believes that a shift in mid-week work hours to permanent could cause harm to companies.
She stated, “It’s a tremendous relief for businesses that government is leading the charge in setting the tone and getting people back into the office.
“It is too soon to see what this will look like.” However, if visitors are returning two-to three days later than expected, that would mean businesses will need to produce five days’ worth of sales in just three days to pay overheads.
Even a boss recommended that employees be lured back to work by offering pizza Fridays or massage Mondays.
Octavius, who is co-founder and chief operating officer of MindGym management consulting, said that everyone needs to return to the workplace. It is beneficial for learning, productivity, mental health and innovation.
It can be fun. Employers want employees who are available to go to work every day, even if it’s Mondays or Fridays.
“Even more, make Friday’s head and tail ends of your week special with pizza, Monday massages, or other treats.
British Beer and Pubs Association Chief Executive Emma McClarkin explained that it would take a long time to reach pre-pandemic levels trade. With hybrid working likely to stay at least for the near term, this will impact their bottom lines.
Jonathan Neame is the boss of Britain’s oldest brewery Shepherd Neame. He said that working in an office environment can be ‘far more life-enhancing’.
According to him, it’s more than just the job itself. It is about helping businesses thrive that have office staff.
According to Mr Neame, “It’s all about the ecosystem and what you do after work.” It’s about the whole ecosystem and everything you do after work. We are looking forward to welcoming employees back.
Barclays was the latest major business to invite staff back in offices for hybrid working.
It sent an email to staff from England requesting that they work at least partly in the office starting next week.
It stated: “As we look into the future, hybrid working is creating opportunities to the way that we work…. combining the best parts of being together with flexibility and focus that have all been experienced at home.”
The announcement came after Big Four investment bank Citi, Big Four accountant KPMG and HSBC announced their plans this week for a return to work.
Citigroup and Goldman Sachs announced that they plan to resume work at the office, but all businesses stated flexibility would continue.