Young people
Hospitality job losses are shutting young people out.
For many, hospitality is the first job. Fewer entry-level roles means fewer first steps.
2 October 2026 · 2 min read
The issue
Hospitality has long been where young people learn to work: how to talk to customers, handle pressure and be part of a team. As venues cut hours, entry-level roles are often the first to go.
What the data says
UKHospitality analysis of ONS figures found approximately a third (31%) of first jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds are in hospitality, and the sector hires around 300,000 young people a year.
What the industry is saying
Sacha Lord, a long-standing campaigner for the night-time economy, has argued that rising employment costs are reducing opportunities for young people. These are his views.
What it means for hospitality
If young people can't get a first job in hospitality, the industry loses the next generation of chefs, bartenders and managers before they've started.
What it could mean for flexible staffing
Flexible SHFTs could offer another route in: a way to gain experience across different venues, build a track record and fit work around study. On FLEXSHFT, professionals build one profile that travels with them.
