Bars and pubs see 11.7% jump during Britain’s heatwave

Bars, pubs, and restaurants saw their busiest day on 23 June.

Square transaction data shows Britain’s hospitality sector saw mixed trading during the heatwave period from 22 to 24 June, with bars and pubs recording the biggest increase in customer activity.

Transactions at bars and pubs rose 11.7% compared with the same three days the previous week (15–17 June), making it the strongest-performing hospitality category.

Restaurant transactions were broadly unchanged, rising by 1%.

London saw a different pattern. Bar and pub transactions in the capital increased by 2%, whilst restaurant transactions fell by 4.7%.

The 23rd of June was the busiest day nationally for bars, pubs, and restaurants during the period.

The figures are based on Square transaction data from a consistent group of sellers, comparing the two three-day periods on a like-for-like basis.