The snapshot data show just under 25,000 venues (23.7%) are still shut, and illustrate 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%).
The Market Recovery Monitor shows slightly more pubs have reopened than restaurants. Around nine in ten high street pubs (92.9%), food pubs (91.8%) and community pubs (89.6%) are now back trading, alongside 89.2% of casual dining and other restaurants.
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 50.9% of large venues and 27.0% 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.”
Previous editions of the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners have revealed that only a third (32.9%) of Britain’s licensed premises traded during the first phase of reopening ahead of the return of inside service on Monday 17 May.
More than 8,500 premises — 7.4% of Britain’s pre-Covid-19 total — have already closed for good.
