It was announced that pubs and restaurants across central Scotland (including Glasgow and Edinburgh) will close in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19 from today (Friday 9 October) at 6pm.

According to the research new job postings in the hospitality and tourism sectors fell by 61% since the end of August, with a 9% decline since the 10pm curfew was introduced.

A similar analysis shows that hiring in the food preparation and service sector has fallen by a quarter (26%) since the end of August, with an 11% decline since the curfew came into effect on 24 September.

Jack Kennedy, UK economist at global job site Indeed, commented: “This summer’s encouraging signs of recovery in the food, drink and hospitality sectors slipped into reverse after the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme finished at the end of August. Since the imposition of a nationwide 10pm curfew a fortnight ago, the number of new vacancies has tipped into freefall.

“The industry is now braced for even more pain, with Scotland ordering the temporary closure of some pubs and banning the serving of alcohol indoors at those that can remain open.

“At their lowest point during lockdown, new job postings in these sectors were down 95% compared to their 2019 level. Progress has been made since then, but the gradual ratcheting up of restrictions - even though they still fall short of a second lockdown - has curtailed employers’ hiring intentions.

“Hiring levels continue to improve across the wider economy, but for Britain’s hardest-hit sectors it feels like a case of one step forward and two steps back.”