Sector confidence plummets as tiers take toll

The coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted sector confidence, with less than a fifth of hospitality business leaders optimistic about the market’s prospects over the next 12 months, according to CGA and Fourth. Its latest Business Confidence Survey has revealed that just 18% of leaders are optimistic about the year ahead, 42% down on pre-pandemic levels (60%). Extended restrictions over the autumn have led to more than a quarter (27%) of multi-site business leaders predicting they will be unviable within the first six months of 2021, if current levels of support continue.