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23rd March 2020

Increasing numbers set to stay away from restaurants suggests CGA research

Written by: Edward Waddell
Britain's restaurants and pubs can expect 'almost total shut-down' next week due to Covid-19, according to the latest research from CGA.

A poll carried out last Wednesday (18 March) revealed over half of UK adults (52%) who would normally eat out said they had already stopped going to restaurants based on the Government advice. Also the survey revealed half of those yet to stop visiting restaurants said they would cease in the coming week.

The tendency to stay away is strong among older age groups, as over half of 18-34-year-olds who usually go out said they would continue to go to pubs, bars and restaurants.

Consumers from the North East are most likely to be unfazed by the Government advice, with just under a quarter (24%) predicting that they will continue to visit venues as often as usual.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of the population said that they had also chosen to stay local when going out to eat and drink rather than venture into city centres over the past two weeks.

Phil Tate, chief executive of the CGA Group, commented: “COVID-19 is obviously causing significant concern right across the population, with three quarters of adults worried about its impact on the health of themselves and their family. 

"But an even greater proportion (78%) seriously concerned about the long-term financial implications of the pandemic, which means even when the immediate health threat dissipates there will be much longer-term anxieties that will effect businesses such as hospitality.”

According to the survey by CGA, 29% of people are visiting restaurants less frequency than they would have usually.