Workplace hospitality provider, BaxterStorey is already benefitting from the lifting of Covid restrictions last week.
CEO Ronan Harte (pictured) said, “One week on from working from home restrictions lifting, we are seeing an incredibly positive impact on our business – this was certainly the update many hospitality businesses were waiting for.
'Unlike the previous return to the workplace in September, which saw a slow return for many businesses, this week we have seen a much faster return to the office, particularly within corporate offices in the financial and professional services sectors.'
Harte continued, 'Public sector office workers have been slower to return to the office, however, we know people have craved the social buzz of office working, and this has been reflected in an immediate return for many.
“We are starting to see a strong return in sales, at 70% of pre-Christmas levels. Over the next two weeks, we expect these to be 30% up and back to the same levels as they were before the Prime Minister’s announcement in December.
“Although it’s still too soon to have a true picture, we are seeing a trend for Tuesday to Thursday office working, with most continuing to work from home Monday and Fridays.'
Harte concluded, “As an industry, our focus now will be pushing our recruitment drive harder than ever before to ensure we have skilled and trained team members across all roles, from baristas and front of house to customer service and management.”