How's Business 2023

DECEMBER 2023

December saw the largest proportion of all businesses (51%) experiencing decreased visitors/customers compared with 2022 along with 45% reporting the same in terms of their turnover. 49% and 55% of businesses reported increased or level visitors/customers and turnover respectively compared with December 2022. Overall, the results represent decreases of -9% each in visitors/customers and turnover compared with December 2022. 56% of all businesses anticipated decreased bookings for February 2024 compared with 2023 levels and 67% and 68% anticipated decreased bookings for March and Easter 2024 respectively (compared with 2023), although this may change as we collect data for these periods. Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy/fuel costs (72%), the increase in the cost of living generally (68%), increases in other business costs e.g. food and other supplies etc. (63%) and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (59%) with concerns about the increases in the cost of living and increases in other business costs increasing compared with last month. This month's survey has a sample of 68 businesses.

Whole of 2023 – Performance compared with 2022

For 2023 as a whole, 63% of businesses reported decreased visitors and 51% decreased turnover compared with 2022. Compared to 2022 as a whole, 56% of business reported increased staffing costs for the whole of 2023 whilst 90% reported increased cost of goods. Our thanks go to all businesses that have taken part in the survey this month and to those organisations that have assisted us with the promotion of the survey. It’s very much appreciated.  Download the report here

NOVEMBER 2023

November saw the majority of all businesses (64%) experiencing a decrease in visitors/customers and a similar proportion (61%) reporting a decrease in their turnover – representing decreases of -15% and -13% respectively compared with the same time during 2022. 61% of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for December 2023 compared with 2022 levels and 58% and 71% anticipated decreased bookings for January and February 2024 respectively (compared with 2023), although this may change as we collect data for these months. Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy/fuel costs (78%), the increase in the cost of living generally and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (63% each) and increases in other business costs e.g., food and other supplies etc. (60%), all of which have decreased compared with last month.  Our thanks go to all businesses that have taken part in the survey this month and to those organisations that have assisted us with the promotion of the survey. It’s very much appreciated. Download the report here

OCTOBER 2023

October saw 60% of all businesses experiencing decreased visitors/customers and 59% reporting decreased turnover compared with the same time during 2022, representing overall decreases of -22% and -18% in visitors/customers and turnover respectively. 59% and 51% of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for November and December 2023 respectively compared with 2022 levels and 59% anticipated decreased bookings for January 2024 (compared with 2023) , although this may change as we collect data for these months.

Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy/fuel costs (86%), increases in the cost of living generally (74%), decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (71%) and Increases in other business costs e.g. food and other supplies etc. (69%), all of which have increased compared with last month.

Many businesses believe there is substantially more financial hardship to come and that spending on discretionary and intangible products like short breaks and holidays may take an even bigger hit next year as consumers continue to tighten their spending belts. In order to cover their rising operational costs many businesses are wanting to increase their room rates but at the risk of potentially alienating much of their potential clientele and it will continue to be a very challenging time ahead for most businesses as a result. There is a small sample of businesses however, indicating that their forward booking levels for 2024 are looking encouraging at the moment, but given the current conditions it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict how the next few months are likely to pan out.

Our thanks go to all businesses that have taken part in the survey this month and to those organisations that have assisted us with the promotion of the survey. It’s very much appreciated.

Download the report here.

SEPTEMBER 2023

September saw 52% of all businesses experiencing decreased visitors/customers and 53% reporting decreased turnover compared with the same time during 2022, representing overall decreases of -11% and -14% in visitors/customers and turnover respectively. 60% or more of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for October (60%), November (62%) and December (60%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months. Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy/fuel costs (74%), increases in the cost of living generally (72%) and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (66%). This month's survey has a sample of 61 businesses.
July to September 2023 general performance
High pressure influenced the UK's weather for the first half of September (coinciding with when the schools went back), bringing fine, sunny, dry conditions and the most significant spell of warm weather since June and, as a result, September saw the highest proportions of businesses reporting level or increased visitors/customer and turnover over the three-month period (July-Sept), albeit the majority of businesses were still reporting decreases in both visitors/customer and turnover compared with September 2022 (52% and 53% respectively). For many businesses the warmer September weather resulted in bookings being very last-minute, making it increasingly difficult for them to plan their staffing and resources. The cost of living crisis is clearly continuing to have a huge impact on bookings and cancellations, along with a large proportion of businesses continuing to report spiralling operating costs forcing many of them to close during the winter months this year for the first time. Our thanks go to all businesses that have taken part in the survey this month and to those organisations that have assisted us with the promotion of the survey. It’s very much appreciated.
Download the report here.

AUGUST 2023

August saw 67% of all businesses experiencing decreased visitors/customers and 65% reporting decreased turnover compared with the same time during 2022, representing overall decreases of -18% and -14% in visitors/customers and turnover respectively. 57% or more of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for September (57%), October (69%) and November (63%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months. Businesses continue to be most concerned about increases in the cost of living generally (79%), rising energy/fuel costs (77%) and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (69%), along with Increases in other business costs e.g., food and other supplies etc. (64%). This month's survey has a sample of 81 businesses.

Business optimism has increased to its highest level since September 2022 to 5.49 in August 2023 (compared with 4.89 during July and 5.06 during June).  Download the report here.

JULY 2023

It has been a challenging peak period to date for tourism and hospitality businesses on the English Riviera, a trend seen regionally and nationally as well, however. The wettest July for a decade, coupled with the cost of living and energy crisis, high inflation and rising interest rates has resulted in an unpredictable market with increased rates of cancellations for many businesses, a rise in last minute bookings and/or customers having to cut their holidays short or cut down on their secondary spending whilst away. It is not surprising therefore that July has seen by far the largest proportions of businesses reporting decreased levels of visitors and turnover (69% and 68% respectively) compared with June (58% and 62% respectively) and May (51% and 50% respectively).  Download the report here.

JUNE 2023

June saw 58% of all businesses experiencing decreased visitors/customers and 62% reporting decreased turnover compared with the same time during 2022, representing overall decreases of -14% and -15% in visitors/customers and turnover respectively. 69% or more of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for July (73%), August (89%) and September (69%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months.

Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy/fuel costs (83%), increases in the cost of living generally (78%) along with decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (73%). Business optimism during June was 5.06%. 

Our thanks go to all businesses that have taken part in the survey this month and to those organisations that have assisted us with the promotion of the survey. It’s very much appreciated. Download the report here.

MAY 2023

A similar month to April with 50% of all businesses in each case experiencing level or increased visitors/customers (29% and 21% respectively) and turnover (25% each) compared with the same time during 2022.  Decreases of -9% each and a similar level of performance to the region as a whole (-9% and -8% for visitors and turnover respectively).

61% or more of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for June (61%), July (65%) and August (74%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months.

Businesses continue to be most concerned about the increase in the cost of living generally and/or rising energy/fuel costs (84% each) along with decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (74%) and increases in other business costs e.g., food and other supplies etc. (73%).

Whilst slightly lower than April, business optimism remains at 5.35 (5.37 April).  Download the report here.

APRIL 2023

A slightly better month with 51% of all businesses experiencing level or increased visitors/customers (32% and 19% respectively) and a similar proportion (50%) reporting level or increased turnover (23% and 27% respectively) – decreases of -6% and -7% for visitors and turnover respectively compared with the same time during 2022.  On the whole however, performance for the month was slightly better than the region.

60% or more of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for May (60%), June (67%) and July (72%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months.

Businesses continue to be most concerned about the increase in the cost of living generally (87%), rising energy/fuel costs (84%) and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels and increases in other business costs e.g., food and other supplies etc. (71% each).

Business optimism was also at its highest level for six months at 5.37.  Download the report here.

MARCH 2023

61% of all businesses experiencing a decrease in visitors/customers and 60% reporting a decrease in their turnover – decreases of -19% and -18% respectively compared with the same time during 2022.  On the whole however, performance for the month was similar to the region.

The majority of businesses also anticipated decreased bookings for April (64%), May (67%) and June (62%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months

Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy costs (85%), the increase in the cost of living generally (76%) and the increases in other costs e.g. food & other supplies etc. (72%). 

At 5.01 out of 10, optimism amongst businesses has decreased compared to last month and is at its lowest level to date.  Download the report here.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2023

January saw 41% of all businesses experiencing a decrease in visitors/customers and 44% reporting a decrease in their turnover – decreases of -2% and -1% respectively compared with the same time during 2022.  February showed a similar picture with 49% of all businesses experiencing a decrease in visitors/customers and 47% reporting a decrease in their turnover – decreases of -5% and -4% respectively compared with the same time during 2022.  On the whole, performance for both months was similar to the region.

The majority of businesses anticipated decreased bookings for March (67%), April (74%) and May (72%) compared with 2022 levels, although this may change as we collect data for these months.

Businesses continue to be most concerned about rising energy costs (85%), the increase in the cost of living generally (78%) and decreasing visitor numbers/booking levels (75%). 

At 5.25 out of 10, optimism amongst businesses has increased compared to last month and is at its highest level since September 2022.  Dowload the report here.