The season of goodwill can be a lively and lucrative time for the hospitality sector.
Christmas parties, Mad Friday and friends and family get-togethers can be a lifeline for many hotels, restaurants and bars. In fact, takings in December can be equal to three months of trading.
But faced with rising running costs, the cost-of-living crisis forcing many to stay indoors and staff shortages, making Christmas merry and bright is a challenge for the 173,515 hospitality businesses in the UK. [1]
99.6% of hospitality businesses are classed as SMEs which makes the pressure to serve up delicious food and wine, pour perfect pints and create cocktails that make Insta-worthy memories even more Christmas-critical!
Festive cheers and fears
The hospitality sector has a moral and legal obligation to prioritise customer and employee safety and wellbeing. While there are health and safety risks all year round, some become more prominent during the busy festive season.
But 35% of hospitality workers regularly break health and safety rules. [2]The main reason cited was to cut corners to speed up work and just over a quarter said it was because they had been unaware the rule existed.
HSE workplace accident data has highlighted a concerning rise in injuries in the hospitality sector. The report highlights over 4,000 cases of workplace injury in 2023/24 – a rise of more than 13% in two years. [3]
All businesses want to see increased footfall at Christmas, but this cannot compromise customer and staff safety.
Here’s how the hospitality sector can manage and mitigate their liabilities through Christmas – into a prosperous and Happy New Year 2026.
Sparkle and shine
Of course, Christmas is a time to sparkle and dazzle with lights, candles and decorations but businesses should ensure that cables and connections are fit for purpose and comply with British Standard regulations. Make sure Christmas trees are secure and aren’t blocking fire escapes or access to fire extinguishers.
Read more detailed HSE guidance about festive fire safety when decking the halls of hotels, bars and restaurants.
Keep customers in good spirits
Dealing with the general public goes hand-in-hand with a career in the hospitality sector. But too much Christmas spirit can often dampen the ‘cheer’ of some members of the public. Staff should be given training about how to handle physical and verbal abuse that often accompanies drunk, disorderly behaviour. If a venue becomes over busy, people could find it difficult to evacuate in the event of a fire so ensure that measures are in place to avoid overcrowding and never go over capacity limits.
Keep staff safe
From slips, trips, knife injuries, burns, dermatitis and musculoskeletal problems to dealing with the general public, working in hospitality can be a risky business. Christmas can be more chaotic than ever with extra footfall, deliveries and temporary staff so it’s imperative that they are fully trained in health and safety procedures and policies – just like full time, permanent staff.
More Christmas deliveries mean more manoeuvring and lifting heavy boxes of food and drink so make sure manual handling legislation is followed.
A less obvious risk is when someone is struggling with their mental health. Additional workload, zero hours contracts and longer hours are synonymous with the hospitality sector at Christmas, but it can take its toll.
Be mindful that Christmas can be a lonely or difficult time for some resulting in work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Employees have a duty of care to take care of employee mental wellbeing as well as protecting their physical safety.
Spread comfort, safety and joy this Christmas!
Public or employee liability claims are always a concern for the hospitality sector. From an employee claiming unfair dismissal or harassment to a kitchen injury or customers slipping on spilt drinks, claims are a fact of life for hoteliers, restauranteurs, and pub landlords.
But having H&S procedures in place – and employee and public liability insurance, hospitality owners have one less thing to worry about.
Staff aren’t just for Christmas so take care of them and they will be loyal and keep your diners and drinkers happy throughout the year!
Hospitality HSE compliance
Some things are meant to be together – like mulled wine and mince pies, turkey and cranberry, liability insurance and H&S reviews.
That’s why Irwell’s liability insurance includes SafeCheck, a health and safety assessment tailored to the unique risks of each business. We believe you shouldn’t have one without the other.
Read our guide to keeping food and drink businesses better protected.
[1] Hospitality: statistics and policy – House of Commons Library
[2] Third of hospitality workers regularly break health and safety rules –
[3] HSE data reveals ‘concerning rise’ in hospitality injuries