The UK restaurant market is set to recover to 94% of its 2019 value this year, according to Lumina Intelligence’s UK Restaurant Market Report 2021/22.
The findings show that the market grew by 25.9% or £2.3bn in 2021 to a total value of £11.2bn. Coronavirus restrictions in the first half of the year, including no dine-in trade until early April and outdoor only trade until late May, hampered recovery in the first six months of the year.
In 2022, the report predicts year-on-year growth of 59.4% or £6.6bn to a value of £17.8bn.
Blonnie Whist, insight director at Lumina Intelligence said, “Unrestricted trading throughout 2022 is forecast to underpin recovery in turnover across the market. Falling case numbers will boost virus conscious consumer confidence in socialising out of home.
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However, despite most wanting to move on from pandemic, it is the pandemic-led trends that will continue to provide the biggest growth opportunities. Demand for delivery shows no sign of waning, menus are set to remain streamlined to manage rising costs, digital ordering and payment solutions will increase speed and satisfactions and outdoor dining will be a key development opportunity.”
