Call for leisure firms to scrap ‘normal hours’ of working

SCOTS are calling time on traditional opening hours because they no longer fit in with their busy lives, new research has found.

The decline of nine-to-five jobs and the rise of flexible working and 24-hour shift patterns have led to calls for businesses to provide more services outside of the “normal” working day.

The changing way people spend their leisure time was reflected in a study by Barclays that found they want services to be available round-the-clock.

Calls were made for museums to stay open late into the evening and for cinemas to show films into the early hours of the morning. People also want to see takeaway hours extended through the night so they can pick up a meal until 5am.

But, while habits are changing, the report found that only one-quarter of UK hospitality and leisure businesses recognise this growing demand, and said that opening hours were not keeping up with changes to modern working lives.

Jamie Grant, head of corporate banking for Barclays in Scotland, believes that businesses are losing out by not responding to the dawning of 24-hour culture.

He said: “Adapting to the changing consumer demand presents a substantial opportunity for Scottish businesses.

“Our research has shown that leisure operators across the country could access a staggering £6.75 billion per annum by accommodating their customers’ evolving needs which have been brought on by changing working patterns.

“While that may be a challenge for some providers, understanding the value of the opportunity makes the prize more tangible.”

The new Barclays Corporate Banking Hospitality and Leisure report, called Open All Hours?, found that only one-quarter of Scots now work traditional 9-5 hours, with nearly one-in-five saying they need different opening times.

More than one in 10 Scots now expects hospitality services to be available 24 hours, and is disappointed if they are not.

The study concluded that, by responding to this demand, Scotland’s restaurants could benefit by £126 million each year, and takeaways by £144m. Pubs, bars and clubs could benefit the most by accessing a market

Those that don’t adapt to this new demand risk being left behind

worth almost £100m each.

Among the businesses identified to be rising to the challenge of changing work patterns are the country’s gyms, with some allowing Pin-controlled access systems, smart lighting, temperature controls and extensive video monitoring to overcome the staffing issues that deter some firms from after-hours opening.

Mr Grant added: “The current leisure environment does present a number of challenges for the sector’s businesses; the labour supply is challenged by Brexit, rent increases and food inflation are all set within the context of an incredibly competitive market which is already heavily discounting.

“However, those that don’t adapt to this type of newly developing consumer demand risk being left behind.”