Survey shows 17% of hospitality businesses have made redundancies during lockdown

Despite the "hugely detrimental impact on profits" caused by Covid-19, only 17% of pubs, bars and restaurants have been forced to make redundancies, a survey by Caterlyst has shown.

The survey of 722 mainly independent operators examined the challenges independent restaurants and pubs are facing as a result of the lockdown.

The relatively low figure for redundancies points largely to the high uptake in the government's furlough scheme, of which 82% of those surveyed said they had taken advantage of.

Caterlyst, which carried out the survey across the UK between 15-24 April, also asked businesses about how they are adapting and innovating as they look to the future,.

New services and formats include opening drive-through-style food outlets and restyling pubs into village shops to serve their local communities.