Coronavirus
We reported extensively on the impact of coronavirus across the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from the initial lockdowns and emergency legislation to the reopening phases, staffing challenges, and long-term recovery. This brings together our coverage of how restaurants, pubs, cafés, bars, and catering firms navigated one of the most disruptive periods in industry history. From furlough and financial support to operational pivots, supplier disruption, and shifting consumer behaviour, our reporting offers critical context for hospitality professionals reflecting on the crisis and preparing for what comes next.
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Jul- 2020 -1 JulyCoronavirus
Investment into hospitality sector tumbles as coronavirus hits
Business investment in hotels and restaurants has fallen by more than 6% in a year as coronavirus “ravages” the sector, analysis by specialist tax relief consultancy Catax shows. Total business investment in the sector fell by 6% to £1.26bn in the first quarter of 2020, down from £1.34bn for the…
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1 JulyCoronavirus
Castle Terrace to close due to Covid-19’s ‘devastating effect’
Edinburgh-based restaurant, Castle Terrace, has announced it will not reopen post-lockdown, attributing the Covid-19 pandemic as having a “devastating effect on the hospitality industry”. The restaurant, which opened 10 years ago by chefs Domonic Jack and Tom Kitchin, revealed the news via an Instagram post. Jack said: “Sadly today [30…
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Jun- 2020 -30 JuneCoronavirus
Government confirms changes to ‘flexible’ furlough scheme
The UK government has confirmed the latest set of changes to its “flexible” furlough scheme – dubbed CJRS V2 – ahead of its launch of the 1 July. HM Revenue and Customs has set out the new guidance as the current version of the Coronavirus Job retention Scheme (CJRS) ends…
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30 JuneCoronavirus
Byron set to appoint administrators
Byron has reportedly filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators after it “teetered on the brink of financial collapse” following Covid-19. According to Sky News, the burger chain is now looking to secure a takeover of the group, and is holding “detailed” talks with three unnamed potential buyers in…
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30 JuneCoronavirus
Revised ONS data reveals greater GDP drop in Q1 2020
The UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) in volume terms fell by 2.2% in Q1 2020, which has been revised downwards by 0.2 percentage points from the Office for National Statisitic’s (ONS) first quarterly estimate. The ONS said it is the largest fall in UK GDP since Q3 1979, when it…
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29 JuneRestaurants
TGI Fridays announces reopening of 66 sites on 6 July
TGI Fridays has announced the reopening of 66 of its UK restaurants on 6 July. The company said it will also reveal a “fresh new brand” which will be showcased at six specially selected restaurants, dubbed ‘Famous at Fridays’, with elements introduced across the rest of the estate. These new…
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29 JuneComment
The coronavirus diaries: Graham Hornigold and Heather Kaniuk
Much of our work is centred across Europe, the UAE and beyond. Prior to Covid-19, our summer was booked with upcoming projects in Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UAE. We felt the impact before the UK went into lock-down, but we were uncertain what this meant for our business…
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26 JuneCoronavirus
Just 18.2% of commercial rents collected on June quarter day
Just 18.2% of commercial rents in the UK were collected by landlords on 24 June, this quarters’ rent date, according to new data from Re-leased. The cloud-based commercial property management platform said this contrasts to the 25.3% that was received on March quarter rent day, representing an overall decline of…
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26 JuneAdvice
The road to recovery for the hospitality sector
The global pandemic has had a huge negative effect on the global events industry and all its stakeholders, from venues, suppliers of key services such as catering, as well as countless freelancers in the industry. In the UK, the events industry generated £70bn of direct spend in 2019 alone, according…
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25 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Pret a Manger to pay just 30% of rent payments next quarter
Pret a Manger will pay only 30% of its rent over the next quarter after it warned it does not have “sufficient funds” to pay the bill in full. In a letter to landlords seen by the Evening Standard, chief executive Pano Christou warned landlords that the chain was in…
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