Britain’s hospitality sector grew modestly in the last quarter of 2021, according to the latest CGA Market Recovery Monitor.

The study recorded a 1.6% increase in the number of site openings between September and December 2021 representing the first quarter-on-quarter growth for more than five years, helping to reverse the number of closures during the pandemic.

The number of independent outlets that went through expansion also increased by 1.8% in quarter four of 2021.

However, with the sector facing a multitude of ongoing challenges, including rapidly rising food and energy costs, staff shortages and supply problems, there remains a huge amount of uncertainty for many businesses...

According to CGA, Britain has lost more than 8,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other licensed venues since March 2020 – equivalent to a net loss of around 13 sites a day.

So while the increase in sites over the last three months demonstrates the resilience of the industry, the disappointing December trading leaves new and established businesses in a vulnerable position as they enter the new year.