Coronavirus

Feb- 2021 -

25 February

Hospitality leaders ‘optimistic’ of long-term future, CGA finds

Hospitality leaders are reportedly optimistic about the long-term future of the sector, though “urgent” support is still required to help them navigate reopening, according to the CGA Business Leaders’ Survey 2021. The survey, which was conducted in collaboration with UKHospitality, British Beer and Pub Association and the British Institute of…

24 February

Extending 5% VAT cut ‘not enough’ to save hospitality, says tax pro

Sue Rathmell, indirect tax partner at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, has said the UK needs “bold and sweeping measures” to save the hospitality sector, calling on the government to do more than just extend 5% VAT measures. The statement comes ahead of the March Budget, with many in the hospitality sector…

24 February

Chancellor expected to extend furlough until May

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a further extension to the government’s furlough scheme until May in his Budget speech next week. According to The Times, the move is expected after Boris Johnson promised not to “pull the rug out” from businesses when restrictions eventually begin to ease under…

22 February

PM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown

Prime minister Boris Johnson has set out his four-step “roadmap” to guide the nation out of lockdown “cautiously but irreversibly”, calling the plan a “one-way road to freedom”. Step one will begin from 8 March, when all schools will be allowed to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed.…

22 February

Hospitality businesses reopen in Jersey

Hospitality businesses in Jersey will reopen this Monday 22 February, with new restrictions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Under new government guidelines, seated food and drink services may resume in licensed and non-licensed premises; however, alcohol can only be served with a main meal. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks…

22 February

Hospitality cited for April reopening under PM’s roadmap

Hospitality will reportedly have to wait until April before it can reopen under the prime minister’s new reopening roadmap. Boris Johnson is set to unveil his roadmap of releasing England from its current restrictions later today (22 February) with confirmation that the first phase will see children return to schools…

22 February

Campaign launched for venues to reopen as workspaces

Work Anywhere Hub, an online platform that connects users with working spaces, has launched a campaign to allow hospitality venues to reopen as Covid-safe workspaces. The firm has created an online petition demanding that empty buildings be put to use alongside the reopening of schools on 8 March. The campaign,…

17 February

Report claims hospitality ‘not significant area’ of Covid transmission

A new report on the safe reopening of hospitality from analysts CGA, shows that businesses in the sector “were not significant areas of COVID transmission” in 2020 and argues they should be “central” to reopening plans in 2021. According to the study from the CGA, National Covid-19 cases do not…

17 February

UKH Scotland welcomes business rates relief extension

UKHospitality Scotland has said the decision to extend business rates relief for another year is a “very positive and pragmatic move” by the Scottish Government. The new plans, which were announced on 16 February by finance secretary Kate Forbes, are part of a £1.1bn consequential funding from UK government coronavirus…

16 February

29,000 pubs will stay closed if outdoor service is allowed, warns BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association has warned that it believes 29,000 pubs – 60% of all pubs in the UK – will still remain closed if just outdoor service is permitted at pubs from April. The figure comes as speculation suggests the government is considering allowing outdoor service in…