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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Jan- 2021 -12 January
UKH Scotland warns financial support must go further
UKHospitality Scotland has warned that the new government financial support will not be enough to prevent some hospitality businesses from collapsing and losing jobs. The Scottish government has announced that, in addition to the grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will also get a one-off…
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12 January
Support for pubs not enough, warns BII
Less than one in four pubs in the UK have received the full payment of grants they were entitled to in the autumn and winter months of 2020, according to a survey carried out by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII). The trade body’s research into how pub owners access…
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11 January
New travel requirements are encouraging, says UKHospitality chief
UKHospitality has labelled the government’s new international travel requirements as “encouraging”, with arrivals into the UK now required to to present a negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure for entry. In a statement, UKHospitality chief Kate Nicholls said that the decision which was announced on…
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11 January
Electra eyes TGI Friday’s sale
The private equity owner of TGI Friday’s Electra is reportedly planning to put the restaurant chain up for sale later this year. According to The Times, Electra is planning to sell off its assets before the end of the year and return the proceeds to shareholders. Electra acquired TGI in…
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11 January
Leading hospitality figures sign Hospitality Minister petition
A group of leading hospitality figures, led by TV chef Angela Hartnett, has come together to “champion millions of hospitality workers” and call for greater industry representation in Parliament. Prominent industry figures, including Tom Kerridge and Jason Atherton, are also among more than 200,000 people who have now signed the…
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11 January
Sodexo sees 27% total group revenue decline
Sodexo has reported that for the first quarter fiscal 2021, total group revenue declined 27% to €4.4bn (£3.2bn) from €6.07bn (£4.5bn) for the same period last year, attributed to the impact of Covid-19. Founded by Pierre Bellon in 1966, the company operates in 64 countries and serves 100 million consumers…
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11 January
Pandemic costs D&D London £2.5m a month, owner warns
Des Gunewardena, the owner of restaurant group D&D London, has written to the government calling for greater support ahead of today’s (11 January) parliamentary debate on the hospitality industry. In a letter addressed to chancellor Rishi Sunak, Gunewardena revealed that Covid-19 is costing D&D London £2.5m per month of closure.…
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11 January
37 pubs closed every month in 2020
Around 37 English and Welsh pubs closed every month in 2020, according to analysis of official government data by real estate adviser Altus Group. The research showed that the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, liable for business rates, including those left vacant and being offered to let,…
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8 January
Grant Thornton faces £200m lawsuit over Patisserie Valerie audits
Mid-tier accountancy firm Grant Thornton is reportedly set to face a £200m lawsuit from the liquidators of former bakery chain Patisserie Valerie. According to the Financial Times, the liquidators are moving forward with a legal challenge after claiming alleged negligence over Grant Thornton’s audits of the firm between 2014-2017. Patisserie…
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8 January
Lockdown forces further borrowing for Arc Inspirations
Arc Inspirations, a bar group in the north of England, has been forced to borrow an additional £1m as the UK enters another lockdown, according to the BBC. Martin Wolstencroft, CEO at the chain that operates over 17 venues across the country, had already taken out £4m in loans to…
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