The threat of violence and protests across the UK last Wednesday (7 August) caused hospitality sales to drop by up to 40% in some towns.
On 29 July, three young girls were killed in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event, which left eight more children and two adults injured.
Police arrested a 17-year-old later that day but were not treating the incident as terror-related. False speculation began spreading on social media after the attack, wrongly claiming the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat in 2023. Further unfounded claims said he was Muslim. The suspect was, in fact, born in Wales.
Following the attack, there were riots and anti-immigration protests in the UK. These caused a 10% fall nationwide in hospitality sales. Some businesses reported footfall plummeted by as much as 75%.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “These figures are startling and show the enormous impact the riots, and threat of further disorder, have had on our high streets and communities.
“Bustling, vibrant city centres were turned into ghost towns as the public stayed at home and businesses shut.
“Thankfully, protests and riots didn’t materialise as feared this weekend and we can now turn to how we support our high streets to recover, at a time when many were already struggling with the affordability of running a hospitality business during challenging economic times.
“Hospitality is the glue that knits our communities together and our sector stands ready to work with the government to play a central role in the renewal of our high streets after the challenges of the last 10 days.
“For those businesses sadly affected, that work has already begun and I’m grateful that the secretary of state has backed our call for swift action from insurance companies dealing with claims. Quick action on practical measures like insurance claims will be crucial for businesses to get back on their feet.”
In the wake of the unrest, Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association called on the UK government to provide support to on-trade businesses that were forced to shut.
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