News
The News section on Catering Today delivers the latest updates and developments across the UK hospitality and catering industry. Covering restaurants, pubs, quick service brands, and catering groups, it reports on company announcements, market performance, government policy, and sector-wide trends. With a focus on commercial and operational impact, Catering Today’s news coverage keeps hospitality professionals informed of the events and decisions shaping business conditions and strategic opportunities across the sector.
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Mar- 2021 -4 March
JD Wetherspoon to reopen 400 sites on reduced hours
JD Wetherspoon is set to reopen 394 of its pubs with beer gardens, rooftop gardens, and patios, in England from 12 April 2021. While there has been no curfew put in place as a part of government measures, the pub chain will operate on a reduced hours structure. The majority…
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4 March
Welsh gov extends business rates holiday for another 12 months
The Welsh government has announced that it will extend its business rates holiday for another 12 months. The £380m package will provide retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with “rateable values” up to £500k, as well as charities in Wales with a “straightforward” year-long business rates holiday. This relief package, in…
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3 March
Budget 2021: Chancellor unveils new £65bn support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined a new £65bn support package in his March budget, confirming the decision to extend the furlough scheme until the end of September as well as new loan schemes of up to £10m for businesses. In what is Sunak’s second budget since he joined office in…
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3 March
The Blues Kitchen set to open in Manchester
The Columbo Group has announced plans to open The Blues Kitchen, a “deep south” inspired restaurant and bar in Manchester this summer. The venue will open on 20 May 2021, and will feature a restaurant and bar space on the ground floor and a concert hall on the first. The…
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3 March
Hospitality sector urges gov to protect apprenticeship funding
Hospitality industry leaders are calling on the government to “throw a protective ring” around apprenticeships funding and youth employment in the sector, in order to make the training and development of the future hospitality workforce a “cornerstone of the recovery”. Leaders from a cross-section of the industry, including charities, trade…
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3 March
Welsh Gov grants £30m for hospitality, leisure, and tourism
The Welsh Government has announced a £30m support package for hospitality, leisure, and tourism businesses impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 measures. The funding is aimed at businesses employing ten staff or over, recognising the higher level of operating costs that they face. Ken Skates, minister for the economy, transport and…
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3 March
Sunak to extend furlough scheme until September
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to extend the furlough scheme until September as part of his March Budget which will be announced today (3 March). According to The Times, Sunak will state that the country is in a “moment of crisis” as he extends furlough for another five months, taking…
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3 March
Fazenda owner bought out of administration
Begbies Traynor has overseen the pre-package sale of City District Limited to Southern Wind Group Limited, who has acquired a “substantial” part of the business and assets in a move that has saved 243 jobs. City District Limited, which trades as the Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill alongside sister brand…
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2 March
The Restaurant Group burns through £5.5m per month amid lockdown
The Restaurant Group has revealed it has burned through £5.5m in cash per month during the ongoing national lockdown, adding that the cash burn rate is expected to stay at this level until the end of the current restrictions for hospitality businesses. Nonetheless, it has since secured £500m in new…
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2 March
Sunak’s ‘unrealistic’ rent figures spark uproar among pub tenants
A recent comment made by Rishi Sunak has “sparked uproar” amongst the nation’s tenant publicans after the chancellor quoted “wholly unrealistic figures” regarding the amount of rent they pay when speaking on a recent TV appearance. According to Campaign for Real Pubs, on Sunday 28 February when talking on the…
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