OVER a third of firms in Scotland’s hospitality and leisure sector plan to boost their workforce, a new report has claimed.
According to research by Clydesdale Bank, 40% of businesses in the sector say they are likely to recruit new staff this year.
The study also found that just under half (46%) of food and drink SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) in Scotland intend to recruit new employees; on average small businesses in the food and drink sector expect to grow staff numbers by 3.7%.
Overall, the research indicated that the owners of businesses in the food and drinks sector are increasingly optimistic about future prospects, with 59% saying they expect the economy to grow over the next year and 57% expecting to increase turnover.
Clydesdale Bank’s Stuart McCallum said: “Food and drinks SMEs are now planning for growth and their desire to increase recruitment and invest in their staff is a clear sign that confidence is building within the sector.”
