The death of the boozy business lunch: British workers are too busy to leave their desks
Source: The Telegraph
Sam Dean
2 June 2016
The glory days of boozy business lunches are long gone because of the time restraints and financial pressures placed on British workers, a new report has claimed.
Nearly half of all British workers are too busy to even leave their desks for lunch, according to the results of research conducted by restaurant reservation service Bookatable.
The study found that the traditional business lunch has been in steady decline since its “heyday” in the 1980s, despite 40pc of British workers saying lunch with prospective clients is the most important factor in sealing a business deal.
And more than a third of workers admitted they would be more likely to renew a contract or use a supplier if they were wined and dined in a restaurant.
A lack of time for workers and increased financial tensions in British businesses since the economic crash have been cited by more than two thirds of the surveyed workers as the main reason for the “death” of the business lunch, with 19pc saying their business is so short-staffed that they cannot leave the office.
Even for those who do manage to get out for lunch with clients, more than a third (34pc) admitted they will race through the meal, spending an hour or less at the table.
The results have been released to mark Bookatable’s National Business Lunch Week, which starts on Monday and has been backed by Apprentice finalist and entrepreneur Vana Koutsomitis.
“Spending quality time with a client, whether prospective or long-term, is invaluable to build lasting relationships and I am a firm believer in taking the time to get to know someone out of the office environment,” said Ms Koutsomitis, who finished runner-up in the 2015 version of the hit BBC show.
“If you want to seal a deal, or make a business partnership, I believe it is best to do so over lunch.”
Almost a third of British workers who used to regularly have business lunches in the 1980s said they were often pickled in the office afterwards, while a fifth did not consider lunch a success unless their client was suitably sloshed.
The amount of money spent on business lunches in the past decade averaged £35 per person, falling from £41 per person in the 1980s, while the number of average number of drinks per person has fallen from 1.91 to 1.15.
John Wiltshire, general manager at the Aqua Shard restaurant in central London, said: “Over recent years we have noticed that our business clientele are looking for lunch options that are more cost and time effective.
“Since the more decadent days of the 80s when lunches may have been drawn out over hours – with numerous courses and bottles of wine – our modern business diners are looking to be more efficient with their day.”
Bookatable chief executive Joe Steele said: “Compared to the seemingly decadent days of the 80s, the business lunch has been on the decline in recent years.
“Our research shows that perceived expense and a lack of time are major contributing factors – but many restaurants now offer lunchtime deals coupled with speedy service.”