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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Aug- 2020 -3 August
Casual Dining Group rebrands following takeover
The Casual Dining Group (CDG) has rebranded as The Big Table, following its acquisition by private equity firm Epiris. A new business formed by the firm has successfully concluded a deal to take control of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, alongside their existing management team led…
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3 August
BBPA welcomes Welsh government reopening announcement
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the Welsh government “finally” confirming that all pubs can reopen in Wales, both indoors and outdoors. In an announcement, the first minister Mark Drakeford, said pubs in Wales would be able to reopen indoors from today (3 August). Previously, pubs in…
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1 August
Casual Dining Group falls into administration
The owner of Bella Italia and Café Rouge, Casual Dining Group, has fallen into administration. According to a report by the BBC, almost 1,900 of the group’s 6,000 strong workforce have been made redundant, with 91 sites closing their doors for good. The BBC said AlixPartners, the appointed administrators, will…
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Jul- 2020 -31 July
The impact of social distancing in restaurants in the UK
As many businesses are starting to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, several health protocols are now strictly implemented in old and new restaurants. Aside from making sure that the dining utensils and the restaurant itself are properly sanitised and disinfected, food businesses should ensure that customers and staff…
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31 July
Government reveals new £20m grant for small businesses
The government has announced a new £20m grant scheme to help thousands of smaller, independent businesses in England to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Nationwide Caterers Association, small and medium sized businesses will have access to grants of between £1,000 – £5,000 to help…
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31 July
The Box Kitchen & Bar to launch with head chef Nat Tallents
The Box Kitchen and Bar in Plymouth is set to open with MasterChef: The Professionals contestant and National Chef of the Year 2020 semi-finalist, Nat Tallents, set to be at the helm of the kitchen. Having postponed its original May 2020 opening date due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the new…
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31 July
Hospitality sees ‘steady improvement’ as more sites reopen
Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups are beginning to see a “steady improvement” in sales, despite trading remaining “well below” pre-Covid norms, the CGA has revealed. According to its latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker, the week beginning 20 July saw collective like-for-like sales down by 28.5% against the year prior. …
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31 July
BBPA repeats call for government to cut VAT on beer in pubs
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the UK government to extend its VAT cut on food in pubs to include beer as well. The trade association has made the plea as the European Commission confirmed that within the EU’s VAT Directives, Member States can apply targeted reductions…
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30 July
Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant saved amid 25% rent reduction
The Rick Stein Marlborough restaurant has been saved from closure after the landlord came forward and agreed a 25% reduction in rent to save the business. In June 2020, it was announced that the restaurant would be forced to close its doors permanently, due to the increased financial strain during…
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30 July
Fullers in ‘stronger position than many’ despite £10m hit
Fullers has welcomed a “transformational” year of trading, with revenue and other income from continuing operations up 3% to £333m in the year ended 28 March 2020. Profit before tax for total group operations soared from £26.1m to £174.5m in the period. Like-for-like growth was seen across all areas of…
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