Coronavirus

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

Hospitality sees ‘steady improvement’ as more sites reopen

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups are beginning to see a “steady improvement” in sales, despite trading remaining “well below” pre-Covid norms, the CGA has revealed. According to its latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker, the week beginning 20 July saw collective like-for-like sales down by 28.5% against the year prior. …

29 July

Bermondsey’s Loyal Tavern to permanently close

Chef Tom Cencil has announced the permanent closure of Bermondsey-based restaurant and bar Loyal Tavern. In an Instagram post, Cencil attributed the closure as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said: “It’s with a broken heart and a decision that I thought I would never have to take,…

28 July

Hospitality sector loses £30bn in Q2

Sales across the UK’s hospitality sector plummeted by 87% in the second quarter of 2020, equivalent to nearly £30bn in lost revenue, according to the latest UKHospitality Tracker. The “catastrophic” loss follows the widespread lockdown of restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels, and other hospitality venues from mid-March. In light of this,…

27 July

‘Overwhelming’ number of guests satisfied with safety standards

An “overwhelming” number of consumers (94%) who have visited pubs, restaurants and bars in England in the two weeks since reopening were satisfied with the safety steps in venues they visited. This is according to responses via the ‘We hear you’ initiative, launched by the CGA, UKHospitality and Yumpingo, which…

27 July

Mandatory calorie labelling ‘slap in the face’ to hospitality

UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, has warned the costs of the implementation of mandatory calorie labelling on menus will be a “slap in the face” for hospitality, after the government revealed a series of measures to target obesity. The measures form part of the government’s new obesity strategy to get the…

24 July

Hospitality trade improves in second week of opening

Managed pubs, bars and restaurants that have reopened in England reported lifted sales in their second week of trading. According to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data from CGA, sales remain “well below” pre-Covid levels, with collective like-for-like sales down by 31.6% in the week beginning 13 July. However,…

24 July

Hospitality shifts down 68% on pre-lockdown levels, research finds

The hospitality industry is missing out on a “crucial post-lockdown renaissance” with shifts down 68.9% on pre-lockdown levels, according to new research by Wagestream. The group said that even in England, where pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes have been able to open since 4 July , the number of shifts…

22 July

Boxpark trials track and trace tool

Boxpark has unveiled its new digital Boxpark Black Card, a “customer-friendly” track and trace tool that collects customer data in a secure and contactless way. The dining, retail and leisure venue has appointed PassKit as its new technology partner to develop this new solution, which will be rolled out across…

22 July

Winchester’s River Cottage Kitchen permanently closes

Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Kitchen in Winchester has announced its permanent closure as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement on its website, the restaurant said: “We all face unprecedented challenges from Covid-19 and with a heavy heart, we have made the very difficult and sad…

21 July

Hospitality trade bodies outline ‘road to recovery’

A new report from UKHospitality and CGA has revealed the scale of impact Covid has had on the hospitality sector, and outlines what the industry can do to recover both sales and consumer confidence. According to the trade bodies, “rigorous” safety measures, industry collaboration and government support can “speed the…