Restaurant owners projecting positive quarter for business

A restaurant survey of 89 owners, collectively accounting for more than €37 million in annual revenue, say they are upbeat about the forthcoming three months of business.

54% are projecting a "better" quarter in the summer, while 36% expect business to stay the same.

There was overall positive sentiment for business receipts during the Christmas season in Gozo, Mellieha and Valleta while nationally, 62% reported business sentiment had been "no different" to last year's.

Overall reported sales were up 1.4% during the period October 2013-March 2014, compared to the same period in 2012/13.

But while Valletta restaurants continued to register steady growth in revenue, Sliema restaurants reported their second decline in three months.

Restaurants with an average spend per customer of €10-€15 registered the largest increase (1.8%) in growth.

Employment in the sector continued to report a steady increase in part-timers (4.1%) and full time employees (1.1%). A majority of restaurants (57%) reported no increase in payroll costs.