Strong business in pubs and restaurants helped Germany's Bitburger Brewery record increased turnover in 2023 despite a drop in overall sales. Bitburger saw turnover jump by 6.4% to €776 million ($835 million) in 2023, even as sales dipped by 1.4%, the company announced on Thursday. The brewers sold 3.7% more beer in the catering business and increased turnover in that segment by 12.9%. A drop in retail sales dragged down overall volume, with retail declining by 2.9% compared to the previous year
HOSPITALITY Ulster is among a number of industry bodies representing the UK's pubs, bars and restaurants sector which are demanding the government in London to urgently act on crippling energy bills.
Closed doors, canceled reservations and sparse dining rooms are once again the order of the day for eateries battered by COVID-19 restrictions over the last two years.
Britain announced 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in grants and other aid to help the hospitality industry survive the onslaught of the omicron variant of COVID-19, bowing to days of pressure from pubs, restaurants and other businesses that have seen their income plunge following public health warnings. Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England will be eligible for one-time grants of up to 6,000 pounds ($7,954) each. An additional 100 million pounds ($133 million) will be given to local governments to support businesses in their areas hit by the sudden spike in COVID-19 infections driven by the highly transmissible new variant.