The hospitality industry is bracing itself for a surge in cancellations ahead of Christmas due to rail strikes. Pubs and restaurants anticipate up to 40 per cent of bookings during the party season will be cancelled because of the travel disruption.
Strikes throughout this month are expected to cost hospitality firms around £1.5billion, industry bosses have warned. Network Rail has said that passengers should only seek “necessary” travel on strike dates, with several dates planned throughout December.
From Tuesday the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will take part in a series of strike days in a long running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The RMT is due to hold strikes on December 13, 14, 16 and 17, as well as from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 7am on 27 December.
