Proactive Investors - Fuller Smith & Turner (LON:FSTA), Mitchells & Butlers PLC (LON:MAB), Hollywood Bowl Group PLC (LON:BOWL) and 34 other hospitality businesses are urging the unions for rail workers to avoid striking over the festive period in a bid to keep venues busy during a vital period for the industry.
In an open letter in partnership with UKHospitality, the leisure brands called on the Rail Delivery Group, the transport secretary, and unions ASLEF and RMT to “redouble efforts” in order to resolve the dispute ahead of the "critical festive period”.
"The significance of the festive season to our sector cannot be overstated. It represents a crucial time when we traditionally see a substantial portion of our annual revenue generated, crucial to enabling venues to operate during the quiet months at the start of the year," the letter said.
"The festive season is a crucial period for our workforce: missed shifts and subsequently lost earnings – including lost income from tips – would be most acutely felt around Christmas."
Other businesses which signed the letter include:
- Big Table Group, owner of Bella Italia and Las Iguanas
- Beds and Bars
- Greene King (LON:GNK)
- Hippodrome Casino
- Incipio Group, owner of multiple London bars
- Marston’s PLC (LON:MARS)
- Punch Pubs & Co
- Revolution Bars
- Rick Stein
- Stonegate Group
- The Breakfast Group
- Wasabi
- Yummy Collection
Train drivers are expected to continue striking, with fresh walkouts on the Underground scheduled for October 4 and 6, a result of unions battling with the government over pay and working conditions for around a year.