A new report by Dino Social reveals a significant decline in TripAdvisor ratings for restaurants across northern England in recent years, leading to notable consequences for these establishments.
The study, which analyzed TripAdvisor ratings from April 2021 to April 2023, encompassed all restaurants in cities including Macclesfield, Carlisle, Chester, Buxton, Derby, Manchester, Penrith, Kendal, Lancaster, Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, Keswick, and Edinburgh (the only non-English city included). This encompassed both currently operating restaurants and those that have since ceased operations.
While some cities, like Manchester, largely maintained stable TripAdvisor user ratings, the overarching trend showcased a downward trajectory in ratings for most restaurants.
For instance, within Durham’s 238 restaurants, 34 establishments (14.2%) experienced a decrease in their TripAdvisor rating, while only 12 (5%) witnessed an improvement. Typically, the rating fluctuation was within a range of 0.5 stars. Out of the total 238 restaurants, 44 (18.4%) closed during the two-year period under examination.
Across the data of 3,237 restaurants analyzed, 241 (7.4%) observed a decline in their user rating, 157 (4.8%) noted an increase, and 396 (12.2%) shuttered their operations.
Alex Brown, Managing Director at Dino Social, noted, “Our analysis of star ratings over a two-year span indicates that unfortunately, the number of local restaurants experiencing declining star ratings is almost double the count of those witnessing an improvement in their scores.”
Brown further emphasized, “The concerning aspect is the number of restaurant closures. Overall, 12% of the restaurants ceased operations in 2023 compared to the same period two years ago. While multiple factors contribute to these closures, it underscores the crucial role of robust public support in sustaining small businesses.”
