Hospitality costs are under pressure. Staffing is one of the things operators can control.

The issue

Manchester has one of the UK's strongest night-time and visitor economies. Its operators are also dealing with rising rates, energy, VAT and employment costs.

Many of those costs are set elsewhere. Staffing is one of the few things a venue can shape week to week.

What the data says

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has said the hospitality sector supported a third of the city-region's workforce before the pandemic, and that more than half of part-time hospitality workers earned less than the Real Living Wage.

What the industry is saying

Following Andy Burnham's first address as prime minister, UKHospitality's chief executive Allen Simpson called for a lower cost burden for operators, saying the sector could support the government's growth goals. These are UKHospitality's views.

Wood Manchester's Simon Wood told The Caterer about the difficulty of recruiting in the city.

What it means for hospitality

Whatever happens nationally, operators will keep looking for ways to match staffing to demand more closely - without losing the quality that keeps Manchester's venues busy.

What it could mean for flexible staffing

FLEXSHFT is launching in Manchester so local businesses can post SHFTs when they need cover and choose from verified local professionals. It is an independent platform and is not connected to any political party or public body.