Coronavirus

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

Getting your hospitality businesses in touch with the low touch economy

After months of difficulty, uncertainty, and a precarious balancing act at the edge of business survival, the UK’s hospitality sector may finally be seeing the sun break through the storm clouds. Chancellor Rishi Sunak brought welcome news for the suffering sector with a VAT cut for hotels, restaurants, and other…

29 July

How to navigate the confusing ordering and payment app landscape

The hospitality industry has not always adopted technology as quickly as it might. After all, going to the pub is about meeting people and having personal experiences. It’s a chance to have fun, receive great service, get to know the bar staff, be wowed by the perfect serve or savour…

27 July

The coronavirus diaries: Uncle John’s Bakery

Uncle John’s Bakery has been a staple in the community for 25 years, providing fresh Ghanaian baked goods and has received continuous support from our customers. The business was started in 1995 by my parents John and Emelia Mensah, after they arrived in the UK in the early 80’s. I…

22 July

Preventing the second wave: how hospitality businesses can make a safe return to service

From 4 July, the hospitality sector has been slowly reopening after weeks of shut doors and takeaway orders, provided they can enforce social distancing measures and keep their customers and staff safe when trading. In order to keep customers safe from COVID-19, it requires both staff and customers to take…

21 July

How to create a safe washroom experience when re-opening

Hospitality businesses across the country were naturally excited by the Prime Minister’s announcement that pubs, cafes and restaurants could re-open on 4 July. No doubt most want to get back up and running as quickly as possible and are busy working to ensure they comply with the government guidance. One…

17 July

Customer experience in the ‘new normal’

2020 is undoubtedly the year nobody will forget. Everything we knew and took for granted – being able to fly to foreign countries, pop to the pub, go out for a meal – changed irrevocably. Coming out of lockdown is something that everyone is delighted about, although with a cautious…

15 July

How landlords are losing out in extended Leicester lockdown

Having been a Landlord of two successful real ale pubs, I have been watching with keen interest how my former fellow publicans in our city have endured the effects of lockdown since they were forced to close their doors at midnight on 20 March 2020. I recall leaving one of…

13 July

The coronavirus diaries: Shumana Palit, Ultracomida

So, this has been a journey I had never imagined – even as a natural born pessimist I hadn’t seen this coming. We’ve been through some lows, some small highs and some more lows, but we’ve kept going, and I think that luxury of having a working week has helped…

9 July

The coronavirus diaries: Tony Lorenz, Lorenz Consultancy

Having negotiated rent reviews and lease renewals in the hospitality industry for over five decades and throughout the recessions of 74, 84, 94 and 2008, I thought I had seen it all. But, I have never witnessed anything quite like this. In times of economic crisis, we always switch our…

8 July

The coronavirus diaries: Pizza Hut

Pizza is what we know best. We’re proud of the pizzas we’ve delivered and business growth we’ve seen in our sixty years as a brand, from our humble beginnings in Kansas to becoming a global brand – but when coronavirus hit, being designated an ‘essential service’ posed an entirely new…