How's Business 2026

MARCH 2026

In March 2026, 52% of all businesses reported decreased visitor/customer numbers compared to March 2025 whilst, in contrast, 57% said their turnover had increased (33%) or remained the same (24%) compared with the same time last year.  

For April 2026 53% of respondents expect their booking levels to be worse than during the previous year, 49% said the same for the Whitsun half term week and 66% for the month of May.  At 5.10 out of 10.00 however, the overall optimism score increased slightly compared to last month.

Concerns over rising energy/fuel costs remains the number one concern amongst businesses cited by 76% of businesses (the same proportion as last month).  This was followed by increases in the cost of living generally (64%, a decrease of 3% compared with last month), decreasing visitor numbers / booking levels (60%, a decrease of 7% compared with last month) and the increases in other business costs (58%, a decrease of 9% compared with last month).

Despite the overall very challenging operating climate, some businesses did report strong Easter trading and, encouragingly, some newer businesses are establishing themselves and maintaining a forward-looking outlook, while others remain cautiously optimistic that favourable weather and a strong summer season could help recovery.

The comments this month however continue to reveal a number of significant challenges with the most prominent being the impact of rising costs, including energy, wages, business rates and general inflation.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

In January 2026, 50% of all businesses reported level or increased visitor/customer numbers compared to January 2025, whilst the same proportion said the same for their turnover. The estimated actual decreases for visitors/customers and turnover for the month were -5% and -4% respectively. February 2026 showed a similar performance with 50% of all businesses reporting level or increased visitor/customer numbers compared to February 2025, whilst 49% said the same for their turnover. The estimated actual decreases for visitors/customers and turnover for the month were -6% each.

While a small number of businesses report pockets of optimism for the coming season - with some seeing encouraging signs of staycation demand driven by geopolitical uncertainty abroad and others noting that last-minute bookings remain a familiar pattern - concerns over rising business costs, particularly energy/fuel costs, are being felt by the majority of businesses.
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