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.
-
Jun- 2020 -25 JuneBusiness
Amazon’s proposed stake in Deliveroo cleared by CMA
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared Amazon’s 16% investment in Deliveroo for the second time, on the basis that it is not likely to result in a “substantial lessening of competition”. In its initial provisional findings, published in April, the CMA provisionally cleared Amazon’s investment on the…
Read More » -
25 JuneBeverages
SIBA warns further support for small brewers still needed
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has warned that pubs reopening is just the first step on the road to recovery for the beer industry, with further support for small brewers still needed to “keep beer flowing”. Earlier this week, the PM said the existing guidance on two metres’ social…
Read More » -
23 JuneCoronavirus
Soho House secures $100m in equity funding
Soho House has reportedly secured an additional $100m (£80.2m) to help it see out the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has seen the closure of its restaurants and member clubs. According to Sky News, Soho’s biggest investor, American millionaire Ron Burkle, has formed a group of new and existing…
Read More » -
23 JuneNews
The Ivy Chelsea to reopen on 4 July
The Ivy Collection has announced the reopening of the first of its restaurants within the group, The Ivy Chelsea Garden, on 4 July, on the basis that the government lifts its existing restrictions on its two-metre social distancing guidelines. The restaurant said whilst service “remains a priority”, it will be…
Read More » -
22 JuneComment
The coronavirus diaries: Phill Lewis
Our business, Dusty Knuckle, started life in 2014 with my wife and I selling pizza from a homemade oven at local markets around Cardiff and South Wales. Since then, we’ve grown our portfolio to include a shipping container restaurant in a Cardiff suburb, a summer pitch on the South Wales…
Read More » -
19 JuneComment
How pub owners and landlords can work together to brave Covid-19
The term “unprecedented” seems to have been used an unprecedented number of times over recent weeks. It is almost as if we have never seen global pandemics or Coronaviruses before now which is, of course, not true. It is a black swan event perhaps, but certainly not unprecedented. What is…
Read More » -
18 JuneComment
Employers given 30 days to ‘confess’ to furlough abuses
Legislation is currently being fast-tracked to allow HMRC to reclaim any furlough money overpaid to employers, or not spent on wages as intended. Although we do not have the final version of the legislation, employers should start addressing their minds to the claims they have made to date as soon…
Read More » -
16 JunePubs and Bars
The Seafood Pub Company collapses into administration
The Seafood Pub Company has collapsed into administration after it failed to secure funding to help support it through the ongoing pandemic. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, founder Joycelyn Neve reportedly informed staff of the administration in a letter that circulated last Friday (12 June). The letter read: “It is…
Read More » -
16 JuneBreweries and Distilleries
Brewers need further support and certainty on when and how pubs can open, says SIBA
Some 80% of small breweries believe the government is “not doing enough” to support them amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In a new survey conducted by Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) revealed 84% of small breweries expect the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures to have a lasting negative impact…
Read More » -
15 JuneComment
The coronavirus diaries: Tara Smyth
On Thursday 26 March 2020, my partner, James Santillo and I celebrated two years of running The Duke’s Head. Thursday 26th March 2020 also happens to be the first day of our personal lockdown, not quite the day we had planned in our heads, but we did still drink the…
Read More »
