1m employees expected to return to work in July

The survey from UKHospitality (UKH) found that more than 960,000 members of staff are due to return from furlough throughout July, with a further 720,000 predicted to be back at work by the end of September – taking the total to 1.6m workers.

Additionally, more than half (60%) of the UK’s hospitality sector will reopen on or within a few days of Saturday 4 July, with around three quarters of pubs and accommodation businesses to resume trading by the end of the month.

Of this, 53% of pubs are looking to reopen around 4 July, 16% later the same month, 10% in August, 11% in September and 5% in October or later.

Devastating effects

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is incredible positive news and a fantastic demonstration of the very hard work businesses have put in getting themselves ready to reopen.

“Everyone can see the devastating effects this crisis has had on hospitality businesses. Venues have been closed for months and millions of workers in the sector have been furloughed.

“To see such large numbers of businesses ready to open again, welcoming back so many staff members so quickly is hugely encouraging.”

She went on to outline how important this is not only to pubgoers but to the team members themselves.

Long way to go

Nicholls added: “We know lots of customers have been incredibly keen to get back out and support their local businesses.

“It means a lot to customers to be able to go to their favourite restaurant or pub again but it will mean even more to staff members who may have been unsure whether they would be able to return to their jobs.

“There is still a long way to go and businesses are by no means, out of the woods yet. This is a very positive start though.

“Getting venues open and customers through the doors means more jobs will be kept safe. Despite the positive news, we need support for those businesses that are still not able to open and for those whose jobs rely upon them.”