News
The latest industry news from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.
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Jun- 2021 -21 June
McDonald’s to open 50 new sites in UK and Ireland
McDonald’s has revealed that it is set to hire 20,000 additional staff members across the UK and Ireland as it looks to open 50 new sites in 2021. Paul Pomroy, UK and Ireland chief executive at the fast food chain, told the Sunday Telegraph that a further 100 restaurants will…
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21 June
‘Freedom Day’ delay puts thousands more venues at risk, CGA warns
The delaying of “Freedom Day” has put thousands more clubs, restaurants, pubs and bars at risk, according to the latest edition of the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. Although 76.2% of Britain’s licensed sites were trading by the end of last month, around 25,000 licensed premises remain closed.…
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18 June
Bar + Block opens two new sites
Whitbread’s contemporary high street steak brand, Bar + Block, has opened two new sites in Scotland and Milton Keynes, taking its portfolio to 17 sites. The new sites will follow the steak house’s all-day trading format – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The menu puts the…
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18 June
Hospitality companies threaten legal action over reopening delays
Over 45 businesses in the hospitality, tourism, wedding and event industries are threatening legal action against the UK government over the potential delay of the economy’s 19 July reopening. An open letter, led by Manchester’s night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord, is calling for industry support from the…
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18 June
UKH outlines 12-point plan to tackle staffing shortage
UKHospitality has announced a 12-point plan aimed at tackling the “acute” staffing shortage crisis that the industry is facing. The trade body confirmed that widespread staffing issues, particularly in front-of-house and chef roles, has prevented a number of sites from reopening, with many businesses also having to restrict their trading…
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18 June
The Artful Duke to open this August
Livelyhood, an independent pub group, will open its newest venue, The Artful Duke, this August in Bromley, creating approximately 30 new jobs. The 3,000 square-foot, 150-cover space will have an array of reclaimed quirky old and new fixtures and fittings, with the front of the pub used as a social…
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17 June
Beer sales during Wales match 60,000 pints lower due to table service
Beer sales during the Wales v Turkey match on 16 June were 60,000 pints lower than if the game had been shown without restrictions, analysis by the Welsh Beer and Pub Association has found. The trade association said ongoing restrictions are “negatively impacting” the experience of watching UEFA EURO 2020…
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17 June
May delivery and takeaway sales remain 273% higher than in 2019
Despite venues being open, delivery and takeaway sales in May 2021 were 273% higher than in 2019, according to the latest CGA Hospitality at Home tracker. Whilst sales in April 2021 were 345% higher than in 2019, the continued rise in May provided further evidence that the takeaway and delivered…
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17 June
Brewmish takes on two Star Pubs & Bars sites
Star Pubs and Bars has revealed that Brewmish Pub Company has taken on two of the group’s Oxfordshire sites. Led by Chris Brewster, the former licensee of Dedington’s the Unicorn, Brewmish will now operate both The Duke of Marlborough and The King’s Head. Set to undergo a £350,000 joint refurbishment,…
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17 June
Rent extension will ‘banish grim shadow’ over sector, says UKH
Kate Nicholls, head of UKHospitality, has welcomed the government’s nine month extension of the rent moratorium – stating that the move will “banish a grim shadow” that has hung “menacingly” over hospitality since the pandemic began 15 months ago. The decision, which was announced yesterday by Stephen Barclay MP, the…
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