For many in hospitality, the pause after Christmas and the New Year celebrations brings a welcome rest, but it can also deliver pressure. With bills due, hours cut back and routines disrupted, the financial strain that builds over the festive period often spills into the new year.
It’s something the LTC sees time and again. When the pace of work eases, money worries rise to the surface, bringing with them anxiety, sleepless nights and that uneasy feeling of being stretched too thin. Financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing are tightly connected, and this time of year tends to test both.
The good news is that they can both be rebuilt. Small changes, honest conversations and the right support at the right time can transform how people feel about their money, their work and their future.
Money on the mind
Financial pressure isn’t just a personal problem; it quietly shapes the rhythm of a workplace. When someone is worried about bills, debt or pay, it chips away at confidence and concentration. Over time, that stress filters through and into a team, affecting morale, service and even safety on shift.
Money worries don’t just sit at home; they show up behind the bar.
LTC’s research with KAM found that 53% of people working in pubs and bars rate their financial wellbeing as poor or very poor. Almost half of all sick days in the sector are linked to poor mental health, costing the industry around £146 million each year.
For managers and leaders, this is where awareness really matters, because understanding the link between money and mindset is the first step in helping teams stay steady.
A year of challenge and change
If 2025 proved anything, it’s that financial and mental wellbeing cannot be separated. Over the past year, more than 40,000 people across the licensed hospitality community turned to LTC for help. Many were looking for guidance on managing money or applying for a grant. Others needed counselling to handle the stress that came with it.
Through LTC’s partnership with CiC Wellbeing, more people reached out for counselling, advice and in-the-moment support than ever before. T he most common challenges were pressure, performance and finances, and the most frequent effects were anxiety and disrupted sleep.
But there’s real progress too. More people are asking for help before things reach crisis point, using the support available through LTC and free digital tools like nudge.
We’re seeing more people reach out earlier, and that’s a really positive shift.
This change in behaviour shows that wellbeing starts long before breaking point.
Reset for the year ahead
January offers a chance to slow down and reset, not just physically but financially too. After the season of giving, it’s a moment to take stock. That doesn’t have to mean strict budgets or cutting out what brings joy. It means taking control in a way that feels manageable and realistic.
LTC’s free financial wellbeing platform, nudge, makes that easier. It helps people in hospitality feel more confident about money, offering simple tools, personalised guidance and practical tips you can act on straight away.
Small steps, real change
Financial wellbeing isn’t about big changes overnight. It’s about small, consistent steps that bring calm and control, like checking your balance before payday, putting aside a little extra when you can, or understanding your spending patterns.
And just as importantly, it’s about talking. Money still carries a stigma in the workplace, but quiet conversations with colleagues or managers can open doors to the right kind of help.
Financial well-being isn’t just about pounds and pence — it’s about peace of mind. Managers who understand the pressures their teams face are better equipped to support them, and that builds stronger, steadier workplaces.
LTC’s free, confidential helpline is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you need advice about money, a grant to get through a tough patch*, or simply someone to talk to, the help is there. The help is free, confidential and designed for people in the licensed hospitality community.
Building confidence for the year ahead
The months ahead will bring their own challenges, as they always do. But what 2025 has shown is that people in hospitality are ready to face them head-on. More are asking for help, sharing their experiences and making financial wellbeing part of everyday wellbeing.
Money worries might not disappear immediately, but with the right tools, a little time and the courage to reach out early, they can be managed — and when that happens, mental wellbeing follows.
Reset, reflect and rebuild, not just your finances, but your confidence too. If money worries are weighing on you this year, take a few minutes to explore the free tools and support from LTC. It could be the reset you need.
Your Questions Answered
- Who can access LTC’s financial support? Anyone who works or has previously worked in licensed hospitality, including those who have retired or moved on from the trade.
- Is it confidential? Yes. All support is completely confidential. Your employer will never be told you’ve contacted us unless you choose to share it.
- What kind of help is available? You can apply for a one-off financial grant* to help with urgent costs, such as rent arrears, utility bills or essential household items. LTC can also connect you with free debt advice, budgeting tools and emotional support.
- Do I have to pay the money back? No. LTC grants (criteria applies) are gifts, not loans, and they don’t affect your benefits.
- What if I just need advice rather than financial aid? You can access budgeting and debt guidance, financial education through nudge, or emotional support through LTC’s helpline, all completely free.
