More than 80% of operators believe the new rules will have an impact, with 32% believing that impact will be major, 29% moderate and 22% having a marginal impact, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Hospitality latest Leaders Poll.
Under the new rules, which apply for both indoor and outdoor trading and which come into place next week, hospitality venues are legally required to ask all customers to provide their contact details or to check in with the NHS COVID app rather than just the lead booker. Staff will also have to verify that each individual over the age of 16 has checked in using the QR code by reviewing the individual’s phone screen.
Hospitality venues are also required to take responsible steps to refuse entry to a customer who does not provide their details.
Meanwhile, 67% of those surveyed believe the idea of vaccine passports for customers to enter pubs are “completely unworkable”.
The views of the industry are at odds with those of consumers, with an Ipsos Mori UK poll finding that 62% of Brits would happily have a vaccine passport in order to be able to go to a pub or a restaurant.
When asked about advocating for delivery riders’ rights and pay in the wake of Deliveroo’s recent initial public offering, more than half of all respondents (53%) believe riders are an extension of hospitality service staff and should be treated as such.
Confidence among respondents took a small dip on last week’s figures, down from 74% to 71% of businesses being confident in the future of their business.
The Hospitality Leaders Poll is a conducted by Lumina Intelligence on behalf of BigHospitality, MCA, and the Morning Advertiser.