Decline in pub, bar and restaurant sales due to COVID-19 in the UK 2020

Sales of pub and restaurant groups all fell in Great Britain in the week prior to the government's warning to avoid them due to the growing threat of coronavirus (COVID-19). As a preventative measure, the UK Prime Minister urged the public on Monday March 16 to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues to reduce the spread of the virus. Restaurant groups experienced the biggest fall in like-for-like sales in the week prior to the announcment at 21 percent, while bar sales dropped by 14 percent. Managed pubs faired only slightly better with a 12 percent decline.

In the following week, it was announced that pubs, bars and restaurants had to close to customers, other than for delivery or takeaway. Over the whole month of March, bar sales dropped by 60 percent, and restaurants by 56.4 percent compared to the same period in 2019. During the re-opening phase, bar, pub, and restaurant sales continued to be down, though the industry has shown signs of recovery.

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