Newcastle is among the northern cities leading the UK's hospitality 'bounce back' from Covid as it welcomes a number of new restaurants, bars and food chains.
Over the last two years, hospitality businesses across the country have taken a battering after being hit with the impacts of pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. But despite these unprecedented challenges, Newcastle has been named as one of the cities with the biggest increase in new hospitality openings, according to data from CGA, the industry-leading food and drink data insights company.
The findings, compiled by the north’s hospitality trade exhibition, Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), have revealed that Newcastle had a 2.3% growth in new restaurants, bars, and pubs between September 2021 and December 2021 - ranking fifth for growth in the UK. A number of major restaurants and food chains opened their doors in Newcastle city centre in that period last year, including tapas bar Cafe Andaluz which opened on Grey Street in October, Scream For Pizza which launched a 'grab and go' unit on the Quayside in September and Rio Steakhouse which also opened on the Quayside in November.
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And few could forget the huge queues outside of Flipino fried chicken chain Jollibee when it opened on Northumberland Street in November.
New Grey Street eateries Indian restaurant Ayla and popular sushi restaurant Sushi Me Rollin, were also among those who opened their doors late last year. And the city will continue to welcome new restaurants this year including The Real Greek, which is set to open in Eldon Square this month.
The data also shows that Newcastle's hospitality growth far outstripped the opening of new businesses in the capital, with London recording 1.6% growth in that same period. Liverpool led the list of the 14 UK cities surveyed, with a huge 4.4% net increase in hospitality venues over the last three months of 2021. Leeds came second on 3.9%, Edinburgh third on 3.3% and Manchester was fourth on 2.5% growth.
Thom Hetherington, CEO of NRB, said the findings reflected the strength and resilience of both operators and audiences in Northern cities.
“Operators in cities like [Newcastle], Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds have suffered just like the whole hospitality sector, with huge issues around lockdown costs, lost trading and staffing. So, although this initial turnaround may be small, the direction of travel is a vital and encouraging change.
"It offers a much-needed burst of positivity to see so many new concepts, sites, and launches, and to see happy drinkers and diners flooding through the door.”
Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators and food at CGA said hospitality businesses play a "critical role" in the economic recovery of cities like Newcastle. It is highly encouraging to see some of our key cities re-energised with new investment and openings after an incredibly tough period through the pandemic," he said.
"The recovery is fragile but there are green shoots of recovery and particular in some of the big Northern cities. The role of hospitality is critical in the economic recovery and the social recovery of these vibrant cities.”
