Research: The Night Tube set to have a positive effect on London’s hospitality industry
With the Night Tube set to launch this week, the hospitality recruitment company The Change Group conducted a survey which aimed to reveal how the new service might affect restaurants and their staff.
The survey, which had 530 participants from all areas of the London hospitality industry, showed that 87% of business owners felt the Night Tube would have a positive impact on their staff.
Craig Allen, Managing Director of The Change Group, said that this may be down to increased willingness for patrons to stay out longer, potential increase in trading hours and therefore sales, and a more cost effective travel option may encourage bigger spends in establishments. In terms of staffing issues, he feels it will help employees by allowing them to save money on taxis and time by having an alternative to the night bus. In addition, staff may be more willing to take roles further away from their home, based on there being a more efficient mode of commute transport.
The results indicate hospitality staff also believe the new service will have a positive impact on their day to day working lives. 52% claimed to currently use night buses to return home after a late shift, and 66% would prefer to take the Night Tube over any other form of transport to save time and money. In addition, 71% of hospitality staff think the most positive impacts of the service would be an increase in job flexibility and making commuting easier, while 52% think it will improve work/life balance. Interestingly, 40% also thought it would create more jobs.
However, when asked about negative impacts on the industry, 83% were concerned that the Night Tube would lead to increased working hours.
Allen said that other issues may be that staff might not be compensated for working even later shifts which is something the industry will have to combat.
