Churn and payrolls levels rising as one in nine hospitality jobs remain vacant, but recruitment efforts starting to pay off: The sector is experiencing rising payrolls and levels of churn as one in nine hospitality jobs remain vacant, despite recent improvements in recruitment, new surveys from CGA by NielsenIQ and Fourth reveal. The October Business Confidence Survey shows 11% of roles are vacant – a figure level with the last survey three months ago but down from a peak vacancy rate of 15% at the height of the pandemic. The recovery in recruitment since the end of covid-19 restrictions means the sector has increased its headcount by 8.8% in the 12 months to September, according to Fourth’s latest Hospitality Workforce Report. It suggests efforts to attract more people to work in the industry, including through the Hospitality Rising campaign, are starting to pay off. The data from Fourth’s Hospitality Workforce Report, which analyses more than 700 companies across the UK restaurant, pub, bar, quick service restaurant and hotel sectors, shows a staff turnover rate of 8.3% in September – equivalent to one in 12 workers vacating their post. This is the highest figure since March 2020, when the start of the pandemic led many overseas workers to return home. Staff shortages have forced many hospitality operators to raise pay levels to attract new workers, while the Business Confidence Survey indicates average pay has risen by 9% in the last 12 months. Karl Chessell, CGA’s director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA, added: “Brexit and covid-19 have taken a heavy toll on staffing in hospitality, and with one in nine jobs open, there are clearly some severe challenges in recruitment and retention. Operators are working flat out to recruit, and cross-industry initiatives like Hospitality Rising are helping to sell the sector as a great place to work, but the staffing crisis is likely to stretch well into 2023.”

Inn Collection Group acquires Lake District hotel for seventh deal of 2022: The Inn Collection Group has acquired The Wordsworth Hotel in Grasmere, in the Lake District, for its seventh deal of the year. The 38-room venue dates more than 150 years and counts one-time US President Woodrow Wilson among its former guests. It also represents a further investment in the Grasmere area for The Inn Collection Group , joining The Swan in Keswick Road and its new staff accommodation facilities currently under construction. Managing director Sean Donkin said: “We are delighted to bring The Wordsworth into The Inn Collection Group. It is a prime site. Grasmere is a beautiful village that enjoys a rich history through its connections with Wordsworth and the Heaton Cooper family, and this acquisition lets us put down further roots in the community. We appreciate the history and esteem The Wordsworth is held in and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests in such a honeypot location.” The Wordsworth Hotel is the 34th property to come under The Inn Collection Group’s banner. It joins fellow Cumbrian sites The Glenridding Hotel, The Regent Hotel and Ambleside Lake House; North Wales venues The Bull Inn at Beaumaris and The St Kilda Hotel in Llandudno; and Harrogate’s St George Hotel in being added to the group’s portfolio in 2022.