Half-term rail strikes are set to cost the hospitality up to £100million in lost sales, with the walkout wreaking havoc on the FA Cup final.
The thousands of fans heading to Manchester this Saturday to watch the final will be hit with major disruption, as rail workers walk out across the country.
Pubs have already been hit with a wave of cancellations as a result of the industrial action.
UK Hospitality, the body representing pubs, clubs and restaurants, said this week’s strikes will cost the industry up to £100million, as a result of low demand and cancellations.
Members of the RMT union have voted for another six months of action in response to the ongoing pay dispute, after they rejected a nine percent pay deal without putting it to their members.
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CEO of UK Hospitality Kate Nicholls said: “The impact on our industry has been devastating.
“Families who would usually hop on a train to the beach, or see family and friends around the country, are staying home.
“They are too anxious to book getaways because of the strikes.
“This takes its toll. Our members are losing out on vital business.”
The UK will see strike action from the ASLEF union on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June.
Meanwhile, the RMT union will stage a walkout on Friday 2 June.
The strike will see 20,000 train managers, caterers and station staff all walk off the job.
As many as 19 rail lines will be affected.
RMT claims that no new proposals had been put forward by rail bosses since the union’s last strike action, which took place on 13 May.
Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT, warned: “Ministers cannot just wish this dispute away.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport accused the unions of making life “more diffcult for thousands of people”.
They said: “It’s extremely disappointing that for the second time in a month, RMT has decided to call strikes on the same weekend as Aslef, going out of their way to make traveling by train to the FA Cup final, Epsom Derby and a number of music concerts more difficult for thousands of people.”
