Premier Inn struggles to fill rooms on EU referendum jitters

Premier Inn suffered a 6% drop in revenues per room in London in the past three months as tourists and business people already put off by the Paris and Brussels attacks, held back on travelling ahead of Thursday’s referendum.

“Companies and consumers have put spending on hold,” said Alison Brittain, chief executive of Premier and Costa Coffee owner Whitbread.

“There has been a marked slowdown in spending, particularly capital spending, as uncertainty surrounds the referendum.”

She also pointed out that, despite adding an extra 1000 rooms to its London portfolio last financial year, occupancy remained high at 84%.

“Although the market is softer, London is still a very good market with an overall shortage of supply,” Brittain said.