Nearly half of hospitality operators are cutting trading hours or capacity in order to cope with ongoing staff shortages.
The loss of business resulting from reduced trading has cost the industry £21b in lost revenue and an estimated £5b tax loss for the Exchequer.
A joint survey conducted by UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and the British Beer and Pub Association showed that staff shortages are forcing one in three hospitality businesses to close one or more days a week.
A record 174,000 jobs hospitality jobs are now available, with 83% more vacancies compared to March-May 2019, according to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The highest number of shortages are for front of house roles, with 81% of operators recruiting for these positions. Some 76% of operators are looking for chefs, 67% for kitchen porters and 53% assistant managers.
In a joint statement, the three trade bodies said that the recovery of both the sector and the UK economy are being threatened by the workforce shortage.
The groups said: “Operators have been doing all they can to help solve the issue, from increasing wages, to flexible working. However, this can only help so much, and the sector must be given targeted support in order to solve the crisis.
“People are at the heart of hospitality, providing the quality customer service and personal experiences that people want. On the other side of the coin, the sector offers jobseekers a wide range of roles and fulfilling careers with great potential for progression. The sector offers opportunities to people of all levels of expertise, experience and backgrounds.
“A booming hospitality workforce will create fantastic opportunities, drive economic growth and aid regeneration in communities across the UK.”