Honiton: Omicron fears hit the hospitality sector

Honiton's restaurants and cafes are experiencing significantly fewer customers due to Omicron, the latest strain of COVID-19.

According to three Honiton businesses, people in the town are making fewer bookings, popping into cafes less often and are even cancelling pre-existing reservations.

Lisa and Peter Beigan of The Honiton Wine Bar told Nub News: "We've seen many cancellations and no-shows. This year we've seen an overall 40% reduction in Christmas bookings, compared to 2019 (can't count 2020 as we served zero).

"There has been a marked reduction in large table bookings e.g., office parties etc, many bosses have banned their staff from having them. Roll on next year."

Aa a consequence of welcoming fewer customers, Honiton Wine Bar has had to cut opening hours and staff hours have been shortened as a result.

Paul Greenhead and Fern Devey-Stafford of The Railway Restaurant added: "We have seen a few cancellations and there seems to have been a drop in actual Christmas parties.

"We do put it down to the uncertainties and nervousness surrounding the rules and fears of COVID. January does not look great in regards of business and people are almost expecting another lockdown!"

Harriet Spence of Full of Beans café agreed that numbers are down because people are worried: "We have seen a reduction in our bookings since Omicron arrived.

"People are scared and worried, which is totally understandable, but it's a huge blow to the hospitality industry and small businesses. We still have bills to pay and rising costs but fewer customers, just when things where just starting to pick up."

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) says that consumer spending on hospitality started to increase in May 2021 but remains at less than 70% of pre-pandemic levels.