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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Jul- 2020 -17 July
Hospitality sector sees rise in confidence
The quarterly tracking study by Hitachi Capital Business Finance examined the percentage of small businesses that actually predict growth in the next three months. It found that the proportion of UK small businesses predicting growth had almost doubled in just three months – from 14% to 27% – giving one…
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17 July
What to expect from pubs and cafes during the pandemic
As Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease up around the U.K., a limited number of pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes are looking to serve customers by August. Regulated to outdoor dining and self-catering accommodation, independent businesses are expected to function at a turnover of 25% of pre-lockdown levels. Thus, only half…
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17 July
Rick Stein to launch Stein’s on the Quay
The Rick Stein team has announced the launch of its new pop up restaurant Stein’s on the Quay in Padstow for summer 2020. The restaurant will be run by head chef Nick Evans and his team will aim to be serving up the “freshest Cornish catch of the day”. Stein’s…
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17 July
BBPA call for pubs in England to destroy spoilt beer
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has advised publicans to ensure they have submitted applications to destroy their spoilt beer before the end of July, so they “avoid charges from water companies”. The trade association said it had “hoped” water companies would continue to “waive fees and cut bureaucracy…
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17 July
Weekly sales down 40% across pubs and restaurants
Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups that operated in the first week of openings saw collective like-for-like sales down by 39.8% against the year prior. According to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data, in the week beginning 6 July, 55% of group-operated sites had reopened for inside service, up…
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16 July
Pizza Express set to fall into hands of its lenders
Pizza Express is reportedly set to fall into the hands of its lenders, possibly as early as this month, which could lead to the possibility of store closures. According to the Financial Times, its lenders are in talks with its Chinese owners Hony Capital for a debt-for equity swap with…
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16 July
UK payroll numbers plummet by 650,000
The number of people on UK company payrolls fell by 649,000 between March and June 2020, new research from the ONS has revealed. When compared with May, there were 74,000 fewer people in paid employment. Early estimates for June 2020 also indicate that the number of paid employees is expected…
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16 July
CAMRA brands Wetherspoon poster as ‘misleading’
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) has branded JD Wetherspoon poster promoting lower alcoholic beverage prices as “misleading”, following Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a VAT reduction last week. The poster, which includes the CAMRA logo and features the slogan “Sunak’s Specials” says: ‘Rishi…
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16 July
Bistrot Pierre collapses into administration
KPMG has revealed it has led the administration of restaurant group Le Bistrot Pierre. The firm confirmed that restructuring practice members, Will Wright and Steve Absolom, were appointed joint administrators of the French-style restaurant chain. Following their appointment, the business and certain assets were “immediately” sold to Bistrot Pierre 1994…
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15 July
Vapiano to reopen UK sites following acquisition
Property specialist Harper Dennis Hobbs has been appointed by Italian restaurant chain Vapiano to help secure the future of the business in the UK. Following Vapiano’s parent company entering administration in Germany, the brand and the majority of its sites were purchased by Love and Food Restaurant Holdings led by…
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