Confidence Low For "Super Saturday"
Mark Sean Elliott
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A poll I have run across multiple marketing platforms suggests that there is still some 'nervousness' by customers to rush out on Saturday as bars, pubs and restaurants reopen.
The poll of just over 100 respondents shows:
These results indicate a very 'low confidence' but this may well be a blessing in disguise. Certainly a 'rush' on Saturday will put newly installed "Covid-Safe" operations and staff under undue pressure.
Police Concerns
Tim Clarke, from the Metropolitan Police Federation, said the weekend could be "as busy as policing New Year's Eve". His views are echoed by Police Chiefs across England. If Clarke is correct, this would contradict the poll findings, but the police are understandably nervous given the pent up desire by many to head on Saturday night after such a long period of abstinence, especially for the on-licence sector.
What may be holding people back?
The poll did not receive any responses to the 'why' to each of the votes placed. However from talking to restauranteurs, publicans, bar owners and hoteliers (as well as colleagues, friends etc.) here are the main views I have come across:
- Confidence | about the specific 'set up' of the location, measures in place and standards of controls for other public at the venue. Without having seen the premises, how the ordering processes will work, how they will go to the bathroom and so forth, people are understandably unsure about what to expect.
- Financial | many people have got used to 'not' spending out on socialising, but reverting to meeting with friends in other locations and buying off-licence or home produced food. As well as takeaway services. Saving significantly over the lock-down period compared to 'normal'. And millions have been financially impacted at a household level due to loss/reduced earnings or all income altogether.
- Unaware | not all premises have individually promoted their re-opening, provided an 'insight' to how things will be when a customer arrives, what the experience will be like. So customers aren't necessarily aware that many premises will even be open.
- Pioneers | As with all changes or new services, products etc. some consumers will be the 'first' and pave the way for others to follow. Once they verbalise and share their experience, through word of mouth or social media, others will slowly follow suit. Until the point where the 'masses' confidently join in.
Hot Spots
On the last point there may well be 'hot-spots' where consumers are more pioneering and zealous overall (perhaps carefree, less inhibited). This is where I personally think there will be more issues for venues on the weekend, whereby staff will face greater challenges to control the new Covid-Safe measures, whilst keeping customers 'happy' and providing hospitality in the way the teams would like to.
Time Will Tell
Time will of course tell, hopefully there's a sensible and balanced response by the public in England this weekend. That there is a 'steady return' and that this is the start of a great recovery.
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4 年Great news that "Super Saturday" was overall a success for the pubs, bars and restaurants according to reports (?https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53295513). "Success" in the sense that most customers and proprietors reported a calm and positive experience across England. All the hard work and cost to prepare operationally working well. Even though the additional resource costs are hard to bare for many Proprietors. Footfall, for the most part, was relatively low and when I spoke to local proprietors in Greater London last night they stated that they had seen roughly 20%-30% customer turn out. Turnout aligned roughly with the pre-opening Poll Results. The secondary factor that likely reduced turnout was the weather (damp, windy, wet). Had the weather been 30C it is of course likely that footfalls would have increased significantly. In the short-term this lower footfall may well have been a blessing in disguise, allowing proprietors to test operational set up, staff to adjust to new working practices..... Now the challenge is "how to drive up footfall" and "reduce resource costs". To reach financial sustainability fast enough and safely. There's hope, it is a positive start, well done to all in hospitality!
Certified Life Coach - Empowering Mindset, Habit Forming, Growth & Success | Hospitality Leader & Consultant | Passionate about People Development, Operational Excellence, and Inspiring Future Leaders.
4 年As much as I would have love to be open today, I’m glad I’m not. I know there a few open but are not ready. For me today will be about observing what happens.
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4 年Boris Johnson asks for people to "act responsibly" to protect those businesses re-opening and all their efforts, as well of course to reduce risks of a 2nd spike/local outbreaks. https://youtu.be/FowtXtiUxDY
The comment is in the first link
4 年We certainly aren't going anywhere - maybe in a few weeks but certainly not until the crowds have gone down to 'normality'.