Coronavirus
The Coronavirus section on Catering Today analyses the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the UK hospitality and catering industry. It reports on government policy, financial support schemes, workforce challenges, and recovery strategies affecting restaurants, pubs, and catering operators. With expert analysis, business case studies, and commentary, this coverage helps hospitality professionals understand how the sector has adapted to changing regulations, consumer expectations, and long-term shifts in trading conditions post-pandemic.
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Nov- 2020 -10 November
Almost a third of licensed premises already shut before lockdown
The latest market recovery monitor from CGA and AlixPartners has found that nearly a third of all licensed premises in Britain ceased trading before the end of October, due to trading restrictions. The report shows that 30.1% of licensed premises, equivalent to almost 12,000 sites, had closed their doors before…
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9 November
Pfizer reveals Covid-19 vaccine candidate is 90% effective
A successful Covid-19 vaccine is a step closer after Pfizer/Biontech revealed its vaccine candidate is 90% effective, according to its first interim analysis. The findings, which are well above the 50% effectiveness for a vaccine to be approved, comes following a clinical trial which involved over 43,000 people. Some 42%…
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9 November
Caffe Nero lenders prepare for CVA
Alcentra and Partners Group, which reportedly provides mezzanine debt to Caffe Nero, has called in financial advisers as the company prepares for a CVA that could potentially lead to permanent store closures and job losses. According to Sky News, Alcentra has requested FTI Consulting to join them in discussions regarding…
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9 November
Government extends restaurants and pubs takeaway permission
The Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has reportedly extended the automatic permission for pubs and restaurants to serve takeaway food and drinks until 2022. The extension means that businesses will not have to obtain planning permission to provide takeaways until March 2022. According to i, Jenrick is set to make the…
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6 November
Two Southampton hospitality venues fined for Covid breaches
Indian restaurant, Kuti’s and the Jolly Roger pub in Southampton both face fines of £1000 for breaching Covid-19 safety laws. The fixed penalty notices were issued on the same night, 24 October after police in the area received a number of calls about the non-compliance in the venues. The Jolly Roger,…
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6 November
Job security concerns rise among hospitality workers
Concerns over job security are growing among hospitality’s frontline workers, according to CGA and CPL Learning Hospitality’s ‘Hospitality Professionals’ panel. According to the snap survey, almost three quarters (72%) of respondents were either very concerned (39%) or slightly concerned (33%) about their short-term job security. This renewed anxiety comes ahead…
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5 November
Chancellor extends furlough scheme to March
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of March, amid increased measures for business support as the UK enters a four-week lockdown. Payments are set to remain at 80% of employee’s wages. It comes as the chancellor said that it was “right…
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5 November
Marston’s reduces rent rates by 10%
Marston’s has announced that it will reduce rent for its tied tenants and leaseholders by 10% in a bid to support tenancies during the pandemic. The reduction in rates will last the entire period that England is in lockdown (5 November to 2 December). Marston’s has provided aid throughout the…
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5 November
Star Pubs and Bars offers licensees 100% rent concessions
Star Pubs and Bars has announced it is offering its licensees 100% rent concessions, in a bid to support its tenanted pubs through England’s second lockdown of this year. The group is to offer zero rent entirely for all its pubs on core leased and tenanted agreements during the four…
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4 November
Trade bodies call for plan to secure future of industry and its supply chain
Trade bodies representing the UK’s hospitality, pubs and their supply chain businesses have called on the government to provide a six-month investment plan to secure the future of those sectors. In a letter to the chancellor, UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), Campaign…
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