30,000 jobs lost in food industry last year

Almost 30,000 food industry jobs were lost last year – but only partly because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 163% jump in job cuts is highlighted by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) which revealed 29,684 jobs were lost across fine dining, independent businesses and large multiple chains during the year.

They come after national lockdowns and local restrictions.

The CRR also said branch closures by hospitality firms increased by 75.8% to 1,621, compared with 922 in 2019.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, CRR director, said the pandemic accelerated a major shake-up of the sector already taking place.

He said: "The sector experienced rapid growth during 2014 to 2017 as chains added additional branches. But they frequently paid too much and the need to cut costs caused by over-expansion, increased competition and weak consumer demand produced a crisis in the industry before the pandemic."