Coronavirus

Fifth of SMEs in the hospitality space denied a rent holiday, survey finds

The financial hardship created by the lockdown is “being compounded” by a lack of help from landlords, with almost a fifth (19%) of British SMEs in the hospitality space having a rent holiday declined, according to Law firm Buckworths. The figure comes from the firm’s survey of over 500 UK…

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Greggs to reopen 20 stores for delivery amid lockdown

Bakery chain Greggs has revealed plans to open 20 of its stores for delivery in the Newcastle area as part of a controlled trial, as the UK Covid-19 lockdown continues. According to the BBC, stores would operate at reduced hours and offer a limited product range. The trial is set…

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Shepherd Neame reopens online shop

Shepherd Neame has announced the reopening of its online shop, and pledged to make a donation to the NHS for every item ordered until the end of May. The Faversham-based brewer’s pubs, hotels and brewery shop have been closed since 20 March in line with government advice.  Whilst its online…

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Chancellor announces 100% guarantee on small business loans

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the launch of a new ‘bounce back’ emergency loan scheme for small businesses, which will offer 100% guarantees on emergency loans. Today (27 April) Sunak told the House of Commons that the scheme would begin next week, offering SMEs loans of up to £50,000. The…

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‘Extra work needed’ after survey finds gaps in business support, says UKH

Trade body UKHospitality has said “extra work” is needed to help support hospitality businesses after a survey has identified gaps in current government support. UKHospitality revealed the results of the first “comprehensive” survey of the hospitality sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which businesses were asked about their experiences of…

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Prezzo enables early access to furlough pay

Prezzo is now offering income streaming to its 3,000 employees to enable early access to furlough pay amid the ongoing pandemic. The income streaming will allow workers early access to accrued pay, and provider Wagestream has also extended its service to cover furlough pay from the government during the crisis. …

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Over 80% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily

A new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 81.2% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The independent producer of official statistics reached out to 17,786 businesses for its Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Survey (BICS), and a…

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Chancellor considering 100% guarantee on small business loans

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering offering a 100% guarantee on loans to small businesses of up to £25,000.  According to the Financial Times, Sunak is set to up the guarantee, which currently sits at 80%, in a bid to make it easier for banks to supply the loans and…

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Wahaca drafts in advisors

Wahaca has reportedly drafted in advisors in order to help it consider its financial options as the nationwide lockdown continues.  According to Sky News, the mexican chain is now working alongside PwC to examine its finances and advise it before a reopening timetable for the hospitality sector is released by…

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1 million hospitality jobs at risk without reopening plan, says UKH

An extended period of social distancing could cost one million jobs unless measures to protect hospitality businesses are put in place, according to UKHospitality (UKH). On the day that professor Chris Whitty warned that social distancing measures could last beyond 2020, UKH revealed it has written cabinet office minister, Michael…

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