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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May- 2020 -12 MayCoronavirus
Chancellor expected to extend furlough scheme to September
Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak is expected to extend the Government’s coronavirus furlough scheme to September, but reduce the amount people can claim to 60% of their earnings. According to Sky News, the move aims to prevent some 1.2 million redundancies, and comes after Sunak promised there would not…
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12 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality sector must have additional furlough support, says UKH
The hospital sector must be provided with an “extended and flexible” furlough scheme in order to survive the pandemic, UKHospitality has warned. The trade body has now written to the Chancellor asking for continued support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to “ensure that businesses survive, and jobs are saved”…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality industry responds to PM’s conditional plan to ease lockdown
The hospitality industry has reacted to the prime minister’s announcement last night that outlined a ‘conditional’ plan to ease lockdown with stores possibly reopening sometime in July. Last night (10 May), Boris Johnson gave a prospective outline for a series of phased reopenings if certain conditions of a new “Covid…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Almost half a million UK businesses at risk of insolvency due to pandemic
One in 10 British businesses say that there is a high risk they will enter insolvency as a result of the coronavirus crisis, according to the Opinium-Cebr Business Distress Tracker. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), which conducted the survey, said this equates to more than half a…
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11 MayComment
The coronavirus diaries: Liam Dillon
It began on Tuesday 17 March, when we started to see bookings being cancelled left right and centre – the week’s covers were dropping off like there was no tomorrow. I cut all ‘part time’ staff for the entire week and then spoke to all full time staff members and…
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6 MayCoronavirus
Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022
A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the government’s latest efforts to “reduce uncertainty” for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic. Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…
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6 MayComment
The coronavirus diaries: Mike Benson
The level of government support stopped us from panicking and we took a week or so just to digest, think and catch up on sleep. Cash flow was gone and the bills were still coming. All our suppliers were understanding and were in the same boat. We had a good…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Furlough errors could cost small firms
SMEs are making errors on their applications for the Government’s furlough scheme, meaning they will have to repay thousands of pounds back to HMRC later, accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has said. The firm explained it has seen many small business applications for the furlough grant that includes the cost…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality industry sees job numbers plummet, but applications soar
The latest job market data from CV-Library has revealed that job vacancies plummeted by 42.1% in the hospitality sector in April. The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job market is…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Chancellor promises no ‘cliff-edge’ end to furlough scheme
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has promised there will not be a “cliff-edge” end to the Government’s furlough scheme. Speaking to ITV News, Sunak attempted to reassure a number of business groups who warned of the potential of mass redundancies if the scheme was to suddenly end and not be extended in…
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