The group saw total UK sales drop 4.4 per cent year-on-year in the six weeks to January 6, dragged lower by a 17.2 per cent slump in food and drink revenues due to fears over the variant and restrictions on eating-out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Whitbread said it was too early to tell the impact of the Omicron hit to trade over the full year, with January and February already traditionally the quietest months for the group.

It said it still hopes Premier Inn hotel trading will recover to pre-Covid levels this year, despite the current woes.

It revealed it had delayed about £20m of investment and marketing project spend this year due to supply chain and trading challenges, while it warned the group's cost inflation is set to hit up to 8 per cent on average.

Alison Brittain, chief executive of Whitbread, said: "UK accommodation sales remained resilient in December, albeit softening as we moved through the month and into the festive period as a result of the onset of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.

"Whilst our hotel performance was excellent, the value pub and restaurant sector in which we operate remains more challenging."

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James Mitchinson

Premier Inn owner reveals a knock to demand over the festive season due to Omicron