The event catering sector in the UK saw a peak in employment in 2016 followed by a gradual but steady decline. By 2023, the number of employees stood at 108.62 thousand. The data from 2018 through 2023 highlights an average year-on-year decline of approximately 3.65%, with a CAGR of -4.04% during this period. This shows a persistent downward trend in employment numbers.
Future forecasts indicate a continued decline, with a 5-year CAGR projected at -3.67% and an overall forecasted reduction of around 17.03% by 2028. By that year, it is expected that employment in the sector will drop to 86.21 thousand.
Key trends to watch in the future include the impact of automation in catering services, shifts in consumer preferences towards more sustainable and locally-sourced options, and potential labor market adjustments driven by changes in immigration policies post-Brexit.