The Consumer Pulse survey from CGA found that 44 per cent of adults have visited the hospitality sector since last 12 April. The figure is 9 percentage points higher than the 35 per cent of consumers who returned in the first 10days of reopening after the end of England’s first national lockdown in July 2020.

In further signs of enthusiasm for hospitality’s return, people who have been out have made an average of 2.4 visits each, and nearly all said their visit was better than expected (45 per cent) or as expected (52 per cetn).

The findings follow separate research from CGA showing food and drink sales at venues that are able to trade have been running well ahead of July 2020’s levels. 

CGA’s Consumer Pulse survey also suggests some consumers are delaying visits to the On Premise because of doubts about crowds and the weather. More than two in five (42 per cetn) say they would have gone out more in the last week if they thought they would be able to get a table without a reservation. Among those who have not yet been back, nearly a third (31 per cent) say it is because they do not want to sit outside. A significant proportion of non-returners are either waiting for indoor seating to become available (16 per cent) or for safety measures to end completely (12 per cent).

CGA’s Consumer Pulse data is taken from a nationally representative survey of 750 British adults on Tuesday 20 April 2021.