Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Impact Survey for the Self Catering Sector 2020

This report contains a summary of the findings from the PASC/ASSC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Impact Survey for the Self Catering Sector 2020 undertaken by The South West Research Company Ltd. during August and September 2020.
The total impact on the economy during the January to July 2020 period as a result of self catering related tourism business turnover lost and subsequent supply chain spend associated with this lost turnover was approximately £2.3 billion. Approximately £645 million of this turnover was lost in the self catering accommodation sector, approximately £1 billion visitor spend in other sectors from those that would have been staying in self catering accommodation and approximately £589 supply chain spend on the purchase of local goods and services which would have been associated with this amount of turnover.
39% of businesses had received cancellations from their customers as a result of the new Rule of 6. A further 43% of businesses had received cancellations and deferrals.
The approximate average value per business of bookings cancelled as a result of the new Rule of 6 was £15,000 and £10,000 per business for deferred bookings.
47% of businesses said they had not accessed any of the UK business support schemes. 19% had accessed the VAT reduction of 5%, 18% had taken out a Bounce Back Loan and 14% had accessed the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) – Furlough scheme. 12% of businesses in each case had taken a loan holiday and/or accessed Self Employed Income Support. 14% of businesses had accessed other business support including a Small Business Rates grant.
73% of businesses had accessed the Visit England ‘We’re Good to Go‘ scheme in preparation for Covid-secure reopening, 18% had accessed the AA ‘Covid Confidence‘ and 6% the Quality in Tourism ‘Safe, Clean and Legal‘ schemes.

Businesses were asked how they managed their guests’ bookings during lockdown. 45% of guests were refunded whilst 42% had deferred their bookings.
The total estimated cost of re-opening in order to comply with the government endorsed cleaning protocols amounted to £1,809 on average per business.
50% of businesses said they were blocking days between bookings for additional cleaning.
Businesses estimated that the average number of additional hours per week that Covid-19 cleaning takes is 8.79
hours.
26% of businesses responding to the survey had taken on additional staff (FTE or part-time) to assist with the government endorsed cleaning protocols and reopening guidelines.
82% of businesses have re-opened and are operating at 76-100% capacity.
When asked to select their top 5 priorities (from a predefined list) which they would like to see become available
to help their business survive and grow over the next 12 months the results were as follows:

 Priority 1: Repeat of the Small Business Grant scheme (67%)
 Priority 2: New Discretionary Grant for those who haven’t benefited from any previous support (35%)  Priority 3: Extension to the 5% VAT reduction (30%)
 Priority 4: Extension to the business rates holiday (29%)
 Priority 5: Extension to Self Employed Income Support (20%)

A total of 1,501 self catering businesses responded by the closing date of 14th September 2020.
39% of businesses responding to the survey were based in England, 54% in Scotland and 7% in Wales.
59% of businesses were based in a rural location.
48% of businesses had just one self catering unit and 34% had two units.
61% of English businesses had a rateable value of under £15k, as did 76% of Scottish businesses. 74% of Welsh businesses had a rateable value of under £12k.
National tourism survey data and reports have been used to model the financial impacts in this report.

Surveys

Links to the full results and analysis of our multi question sectoral surveys can be found below:

ASSC Sectoral Survey into Self-Caterer Access to Covid-19 Business Support

ASSC Sectoral Survey into Self-Caterer Access to Covid-19 Business Support Week 3

ASSC Sectoral Survey Week 4

ASSC Sectoral Survey Week 5

ASSC SUBMISSION TO THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER