Coronavirus

Apr- 2020 -

23 April

Paul reopens London sites for takeaway

Paul has announced it is reopening seven of its stores in Canary Wharf, Hampstead, Holland Park, South Kensington, Hammersmith, Marble Arch and Wimbledon. Its Chelsea, Earl Court and Islington sites are also scheduled to open next week. The reopened sites will operate daily between 8am until 2pm for takeaway service…

23 April

How catering businesses can communicate effectively during the pandemic

Coronavirus has had a dramatic impact on the UK’s catering trade. There has simply never been a situation like this in peacetime. Restaurants and catering businesses are having to pivot at dramatic pace to remain in operation. Many have switched to providing takeaway or delivery or even become temporary grocers.…

22 April

Crussh joins #FeedNHS initiative to deliver 2,000 hot meals a week

Crussh Fit Food and Juice Bars has joined the #FeedHNS campaign, set up by Matt Lucas, Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory and Leon Restaurants, starting this week with a delivery of 2,000 hot meals to the Royal Marsden Hospitals in Chelsea and Sutton. Crussh began delivering their cold press juices to…

22 April

UKHospitality calls for extension of government support

UKHospitality has called on the government to extend its support for businesses affected by the ongoing pandemic. Speaking to the House of Commons Treasury Committee, UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, gave evidence outlining the problems being faced by hospitality businesses hit by the nationwide lockdown. Nicholls highlighted the areas where government…

21 April

Companies House suspends strike-offs amid Covid-19 crisis

Companies House has announced it has temporarily paused its strike off process to prevent companies being dissolved amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government announced changes to Companies House enforcement last week (16 April), which gives businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak the time they need to update their records and…

21 April

11.7 million people at risk of furlough or unemployment over coming months

Almost 11.7 million people could be furloughed or unemployed in the coming months, according to new research from independent think tank Resolution Foundation (RF). The group said that although the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme (JRS) will “substantially limit” the growth of unemployment, it added the “evidence is clear” that…

21 April

Comptoir group remains ‘confident’ despite crisis

The Comptoir group has revealed it remains “confident” for the business, despite group revenue falling 2.7% to £33.4m in the full-year ended 31 December 2019. Gross profit increased 0.6% to £24.9m, however. The group added that despite the “challenging” economic climate, trading for the full year has been in line…

20 April

Le Pain Quotidien facing administration, says reports

Le Pain Quotidien is reportedly on the verge of collapsing, placing 500 jobs at risk. According to Sky News, the bakery chain is “racing to find a buyer” for its UK operations, and could appoint administrators as early as this week. Reports say that the emergency sale process for the…

20 April

Kent pubs come together to offer ‘crucial’ support for communities

Kent-based publicans have taken it upon themselves to raise both spirits and money to support their communities with various different initiatives, including the provision of complimentary meals for children, as well as free accommodation to key workers. The news, which comes after the Government requested the closure of all pubs,…

20 April

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal goes live

The portal for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live, with the government saying that businesses with validated claims will receive payments within at least six days. Under the scheme announced last month, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to…