Coronavirus

May- 2020 -

6 May

Debt moratorium top demand for hospitality, says CGA

Confidence is at rock bottom among the bosses of Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants, with securing a moratorium on debt payments now their main business objective, new research from CGA shows. According to the latest CGA Business Confidence Survey confirms, with cashflow concerns “topping their agendas”, rent has become the…

6 May

Pubs urgently need finance, warns BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned that pubs are in “desperate need” of access to finance in light of the ongoing crisis. The group is now calling for a faster delivery of government-backed loans and grants, with 75% of pubs still waiting on loans and more than…

5 May

Furlough errors could cost small firms

SMEs are making errors on their applications for the Government’s furlough scheme, meaning they will have to repay thousands of pounds back to HMRC later, accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has said. The firm explained it has seen many small business applications for the furlough grant that includes the cost…

5 May

Hospitality industry sees job numbers plummet, but applications soar

The latest job market data from CV-Library has revealed that job vacancies plummeted by 42.1% in the hospitality sector in April. The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job market is…

5 May

Chancellor promises no ‘cliff-edge’ end to furlough scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has promised there will not be a “cliff-edge” end to the Government’s furlough scheme. Speaking to ITV News, Sunak attempted to reassure a number of business groups who warned of the potential of mass redundancies if the scheme was to suddenly end and not be extended in…

5 May

Costa reopens 29 stores for delivery and drive thru’s amid Covid-19 pandemic

Costa Coffee has reopened 12 stores for delivery alongside 17 drive-thru lanes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The news came as Costa made the decision to open two drive-thru lanes and two stores for delivery only in line with the latest government advice. Costa said whilst the drive-thrus are open to…

5 May

MPs support #RaiseTheBar campaign

A new campaign entitled #RaiseTheBar is calling for the government to increase access to funding for struggling hospitality businesses during the ongoing pandemic. According to new research from the campaign, 54,638 businesses, including pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars are currently unable to access the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant…

4 May

Government launches new Bounce Back loans

Thousands of small firms and sole traders will be eligible for 100% government-backed Bounce Back Loans to help them make it through the coronavirus outbreak. From today (4 May), small business owners can apply to accredited lenders by filling out a simple online form, with only seven questions. The government…

4 May

Hospitality welcomes FCA review into business interruption insurance issue

The consortium which launched a crowdfunding campaign to support those refused help with their business interruption insurance policies, has welcomed the announcement by the FCA that it intends to seek legal clarity to help businesses who are facing uncertainty on their claims. Headed by Rob Atkinson, an in-house lawyer for…

4 May

Beer sales collapsed 40% in March amid Covid-19 crisis, says BBPA

Pub beer sales collapsed by 40% in March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveal. The BBPA said the “stark decrease” shows the immediate and devastating impact that lockdown is having on the British pub. Last…