Why Private Hire Is the New Power Move for Hospitality Venues

The hospitality industry has always been about more than food and drink - it’s about experiences. And in a post-pandemic world where people value time together more than ever, there’s one trend that continues to grow: private hire.

The Rise of Experience-First Events

Gone are the days of “just booking a table.” Guests today are looking for more - more privacy, more atmosphere, more customisation. They want spaces they can make their own, menus they can tweak, playlists they can control.‍ And they’re willing to spend more to get it.‍

Midweek Is the New Opportunity

Traditionally, Monday to Wednesday has been dead space for many venues. But private hire is changing that.‍People planning work socials, team offsites, or casual celebrations are now seeing midweek as a more affordable, more available time to book. For venues, this opens up new revenue streams without the operational pressure of weekend footfall.

The Private Hire Guest Spends More

Let’s talk numbers. A typical private hire guest doesn’t just grab a drink - they book drinks packages, buffets, upgrades, and often extend their tab well beyond the average walk-in customer.‍ Private events tend to come with higher spend per head, more pre-orders, and often lead to repeat bookings. Not to mention the exposure - one good event can bring 30 - 100 people through your door who may have never visited before.

Why It’s About Sales, Not Just Space

While many venues are set up beautifully for private events, they’re still missing out - because they’re not set up to sell them.‍ It’s not enough to have a space. You need visibility, enquiry handling, follow-up, and someone to close the deal. The venues that are winning right now are the ones that treat private hire like a proper sales channel - not just a “nice to have.”‍ And that’s where VenueFuel comes in.‍ VenueFuel helps bars, restaurants, and event spaces across the UK fill their empty spaces with real private hire bookings. If you’ve got the space, VenueFuel will bring the bookings.‍ To learn more or get listed, visit www.venuefuel.com.‍