Hospitality is the third largest employer in the UK, with 3.5 million people working in the sector[1]. It plays a crucial role in providing jobs and supporting livelihoods across many supporting sectors. And showing the public a great time by serving up delicious food and wine, pouring perfect pints and creating cocktails that make Insta-worthy memories.
The season of goodwill can be a rewarding and lucrative time for the hospitality sector. Christmas, Mad Friday and the Christmas rush of work parties, friends celebrating and family get-togethers can be a lifeline for many hotels, leisure venues, restaurants and bars. In fact, takings in December can be equal to three months of trading.
But faced with rising running costs and staff shortages, making Christmas merry and bright is a challenge.
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.
All businesses want to see increased footfall at Christmas, but this cannot compromise customer and staff safety. Here is some useful information about how the hospitality sector can manage and mitigate their liabilities through Christmas – into a prosperous and Happy New Year 2025.
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
Statistics by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that workplace injuries in the hospitality sector have risen more than 13% in the last two years. The survey estimates that there were 44,000 non-fatal incidents, leaving accommodation and food service workers the most at-risk across all industries.[2]
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.
Staff aren’t just for Christmas so take care of them and they will be loyal and keep your diners and drinkers happy.
Spread comfort and joy (and safety) 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. This allows them to focus to what they do best – giving everyone Christmas cheers to remember for all the right reasons.
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.
Read HSE guidelines to ensure your hospitality business is HSE compliant.
December 2025
[1] https://www.ukhospitality.org.uk/media-centre/facts-and-stats/
[2] https://www.cateringinsight.com/hse-data-reveals-concerning-rise-in-hospitality-injuries/