Scotland's hospitality sector set for 'exceptionally busy festive period' amid World Cup boom

Pubs, bars and restaurants across Scotland are set to experience their “busiest festive season ever,” as people across the country get ready to celebrate a restriction-free Christmas packed with exciting events.

Leading Scottish hospitality wholesaler Dunns Food and Drinks is predicting a much-needed sales boost for hospitality venues over the crucial winter trading period, thanks to the return of Christmas parties and the Qatar World Cup.

The football tournament will take place during the festive season for the first time ever this year, with fans across Scotland expected to flock to bars and pubs in their thousands to watch the games.

The increase in footfall is predicted to create a much-needed sales boom for Scotland’s hospitality industry, which has been subjected to harsh covid restrictions and financial uncertainty over the past few years.

Julie Dunn, operations director at Dunns Food and Drinks, said: “If a much-welcomed World Cup sales boom were to come to fruition - despite Scotland failing to make the finals - it would certainly provide some certainty to bars, pubs and restaurants across the country.”

However, despite the optimism, Dunns, like every other company operating in the hospitality sector, is keen to sound caution. Julie said: “While we’re excited for the winter ahead, we’d be remiss to assume everything will run without a hitch. We only have to go back to last Christmas to be reminded of how quickly things can change when the toughest COVID restrictions were brought back in at the last minute.

“We’re also not naive to the current cost of living crisis. Inflation, energy price spikes and the shortage of labour are all impacting businesses - including our own - up and down the country.

“With the World Cup and the prospect of a more ‘normal’ Christmas, we feel there’s plenty to be positive about in comparison to 2021 and we’re hopeful for our greatest ever festive season. However, in the current climate, this year’s Christmas wish is stability for our customers and we’ll be doing whatever we can to support them.”

In preparation for a suspected rise in demand, Dunns will host its biggest ever industry trade show in Glasgow next week (Tuesday 25 October), giving producers the chance to showcase their products ahead of the festive season.

Julie added: “We achieved double digit growth throughout the summer months - this can largely be put down to the lifting of lockdown, which allowed for the return of international tourists and music festivals, bringing a big uplift in food and drinks sales.

“But alongside a dry, sunny summer, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe being back in full swing for the first time since 2019 was a major factor in an incredible period for us as both visitors and locals made the most of our capital city”.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily