The recent UK-EU trade deal, finalised in May 2025, has introduced several changes with direct implications for the UK’s hospitality and events sector. While the agreement aims to ease trade and mobility barriers, it also presents a mix of opportunities and ongoing challenges, particularly around staffing, costs, and regulatory compliance.
Positive developments
Eased trade barriers:
The elimination of certain border checks under the new trade deal has streamlined the import process for goods coming from the EU. For event organisers, this means fewer delays and reduced paperwork when sourcing supplies such as catering ingredients, staging equipment, and décor. These improvements could help lower operational costs and improve planning efficiency for large-scale events, exhibitions, and conferences.
Youth mobility scheme:
A proposed “youth experience scheme” included in the deal is designed to allow young people from the EU to live and work in the UK for a limited period. If implemented, this initiative could ease some of the acute staffing shortages that have affected the hospitality and events industry since Brexit. With many entry-level and seasonal roles left unfilled, particularly in event support and service roles, this scheme offers the potential to bring in much-needed labor and revitalise the talent pipeline.
Staffing shortages:
The end of free movement between the UK and EU has significantly reduced the pool of available EU nationals for roles in the hospitality and events sector. This has been especially felt in entry-level and seasonal positions, such as catering staff, event setup crews, and front-of-house teams. According to a recent survey, 9.6% of businesses reported a major impact on recruitment due to Brexit, with 90.6% struggling to fill essential entry-level roles hindering their ability to deliver high-quality services during peak periods.
Increased operational costs:
While the easing of some border checks has helped reduce delays, the introduction of import charges on goods from the EU continues to drive up costs. For the events sector, this has led to higher prices for imported food, drink, and event materials. These rising expenses affect both the profitability of event operators and the overall cost experience for clients and attendees, potentially influencing consumer demand and pricing strategies.
Regulatory complexity: Event organisers face additional administrative burdens due to new customs procedures and compliance requirements post-Brexit, affecting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of event planning.
In summary, while the UK-EU trade deal has introduced measures that could benefit the hospitality and events sector, challenges related to staffing shortages, increased operational costs, and regulatory complexities persist.
