Earlier this week, the Government announced £15.6bn in funding to improve regional infrastructure across the north, Midlands and south-west as part of its Spending Review.
This investment will see projects like the Metro extension linking Washington to Newcastle and Sunderland and the renewal of South Yorkshire’s tram network.
In a speech in Greater Manchester, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “A Britain that is better off cannot rely on a handful of places forging ahead of the rest of the country.”
Following the announcement, managing director of the Cat & Wickets pub company, which operates sites in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, Harry Gurney, told The MA this level of funding had the potential to be “transformational” for the hospitality sector.
He said: “This is a welcome and positive move. Investment in local transport links has a ripple effect across the entire economy, and hospitality businesses are among the first to benefit.
Regional growth
“Improved connectivity means more footfall, broader catchment areas for team, and better access for deliveries — all of which support trading conditions for pubs, restaurants and hotels. It’s encouraging to see Government recognising that infrastructure is a catalyst for regional growth.”
Gurney continued: “Pubs thrive when people can get to them easily and safely. Whether it’s midweek trade driven by commuter flow or weekend custom from visitors, good transport options — especially in rural and semi-rural areas — can be the difference between a pub just surviving and one that’s thriving.
“It also improves staff retention and reliability, which is vital when margins are tight and every hour of labour counts. Infrastructure is often overlooked in discussions about hospitality strategy, but it’s foundational to sustainable success.”
UKHospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls also welcomed the “significant” investment, adding reliable and efficient transport links were “critical” for boosting productivity and growth within the sector.
She continued: “There’s also the added advantage of hospitality workers having easier journeys to and from work, which can be a barrier when transport links are not suitable.
“It’s fair to say that our transport infrastructure in many parts of the country has been lacking and this goes a long way to address that.
Poor planning
“This is exactly the approach we have been calling for and one that hospitality can support to deliver. We hope this is the start of broader support for the hospitality sector, including no new cost increases.”
However, Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill called for the plans to provide better support “safe” late-night services.
Kill said: “We acknowledge the commitment to invest in transport, but without specific investment in the night-time economy, it will fall short.
“Millions continue to face unreliable or non-existent late-night transport, crippling trade after midnight and leaving workers and customers stranded.
“If the Government is serious about ‘renewing Britain,’ it must deliver on 24-hour services, safer night-time travel, and fully integrated late transport infrastructure.
“The night-time economy contributes billions to the UK and sustains countless jobs - yet it’s being throttled by poor planning and neglect.
“Now is the time to act. Invest in night-time transport - or risk the irreversible decline of one of the UK’s most dynamic economic and cultural lifelines.”
