Coronavirus

Jun- 2020 -

10 June

UK GDP expected to decline 7.2% in 2020 amid ongoing pandemic

The continuing impact of the Covid-19 virus is expected to see the UK economy contract by 7.2% in 2020, with the economy unlikely to be able to fully restart until a vaccine or effective treatments for the virus are available. This is according to KPMG UK’s latest quarterly Economic Outlook,…

9 June

Report predicts 50% fall in hospitality and foodservice turnover

The hospitality and foodservice sector will lose £23bn in the second half of 2020, achieving only 53% of 2019 income levels, according to a new report. Produced by Simon Stenning, founder of FutureFoodservice, the ‘Immediate Future’ of the UK Hospitality/Foodservice market’ report covers the 18 months from July 2020 to…

9 June

Pub trade body calls for clarity on beer garden reopenings

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has today told the government that it needs an “immediate” and “clear decision” on whether pubs with beer gardens can re-open from 22 June. The news follows as ministers are reportedly targeting 22 June as the date they hope to allow pubs and…

8 June

The Restaurant Group confirms restructuring talks

The Restaurant Group has confirmed it has entered discussions with its landlords regarding the “potential restructuring” of its Leisure estate. The group’s Leisure Division, which includes its Frankie and Benny’s, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s sites, does not impact trading across the group’s Wagamama chain. It comes only days after news that…

8 June

MPs set 22 June as target date for partial reopening of pubs and restaurants

Ministers are reportedly targeting 22 June as the date they hope to allow pubs and restaurants to open in some form. According to the Financial Times the government is aiming for the date to allow pub gardens and restaurants with outdoor spaces to be among the first in hospitality to…

5 June

87% of people to ‘confidently’ return to restaurants, says Raymond Blanc

A recent survey by Brasserie Bar Co, the group behind Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc restaurants and The White Brasserie pubs, has revealed that 87% of people will “confidently” return to restaurants and pubs once they open. The survey also found that of those 87%, nearly 40% said they’ll dine out…

5 June

Crussh reopens Notting Hill Store amid UK lockdown

Crussh Fit Food and Juice Bars will reopen its Notting Hill store today (5 June) for take-away and delivery. The healthy food and juice chain said it undertook a “significant review” of its store operating model to ensure it can open safely for teams and customers, and comply with Government…

5 June

Azzurri Group considering sale options

The Azzurri Group is reportedly working alongside advisors in a bid to find a potential buyer for the restaurant giant, according to Sky News. The parent group of Ask Italian and Zizzi, which is currently owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint, is now in the process of contacting prospective bidders…

5 June

Greene King expands takeaway and delivery services outside of London

Pub company and brewer, Greene King, has announced the expansion of its delivery and takeaway services outside of London to pubs across the UK. The news comes as Greene King launched its delivery and takeaway service from a select number of its London sites. The group, which has over 3,000…

4 June

#RaiseTheBar campaign says UK risks ‘mass redundancies’ through furlough scheme

The newly launched #RaiseTheBar campaign has warned that the furloughing scheme is “concealing the true picture of unemployment in the UK”, providing financial support to employees whilst their employers are facing closure. The campaign believes adjustments to the furloughing scheme have created an “unlevel playing field” of support, meaning businesses…