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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Apr- 2020 -27 AprilBusiness Bites
Lockdown to persist says Johnson, clergy weigh in on behaviour of corona-corporations
The PM is back at his desk and says the lockdown must continue for the foreseeable future, and it would be premature to consider lifting now. After having been struck down with COVID-19 himself – and ending up in intensive care – the premier has finally convalesced and spoke from…
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27 AprilCoronavirus
Prezzo enables early access to furlough pay
Prezzo is now offering income streaming to its 3,000 employees to enable early access to furlough pay amid the ongoing pandemic. The income streaming will allow workers early access to accrued pay, and provider Wagestream has also extended its service to cover furlough pay from the government during the crisis. …
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27 AprilAdvice
How to keep your catering team safe and your environment clean
Although many catering operations have been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, there are many still in operation supporting both keyworkers and offering take-away services to those in lockdown. The challenge for these organisations is to maintain social distancing and high levels of hygiene within their kitchens and restaurant areas…
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24 AprilCoronavirus
Over 80% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily
A new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 81.2% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The independent producer of official statistics reached out to 17,786 businesses for its Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Survey (BICS), and a…
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24 AprilPubs and Bars
Prolonged social distancing will bring huge difficulties for the pub sector, says BBPA
British Beer and Pub Association has said prolonged social distancing will bring “huge difficulties” for the pub sector, responding to CMO Chris Whitty’s comments that social distancing will be needed until at least the end of 2020. Whitty said there is an “incredibly small” chance of a vaccine for coronavirus…
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24 AprilCoronavirus
Wahaca drafts in advisors
Wahaca has reportedly drafted in advisors in order to help it consider its financial options as the nationwide lockdown continues. According to Sky News, the mexican chain is now working alongside PwC to examine its finances and advise it before a reopening timetable for the hospitality sector is released by…
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23 AprilBusiness Bites
Scarves for face-masks will be part of the government’s post-pandemic advice
The government will advise the use of homemade facemasks once the pandemic measures are sufficiently relaxed for people to go back to work. As it tries to make sure that surgical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) does not face supply issues for NHS workers, the government said scarves or ‘homemade cloth…
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23 AprilCoronavirus
How catering businesses can communicate effectively during the pandemic
Coronavirus has had a dramatic impact on the UK’s catering trade. There has simply never been a situation like this in peacetime. Restaurants and catering businesses are having to pivot at dramatic pace to remain in operation. Many have switched to providing takeaway or delivery or even become temporary grocers.…
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22 AprilPubs and Bars
Covid-19: Government must tackle gaps in support facing pubs and brewers
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has written to secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, pressing him to take “urgent action” in tackling the gaps in support facing pubs and brewers amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The BBPA said it has led calls for support…
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22 AprilCoronavirus
UKHospitality calls for extension of government support
UKHospitality has called on the government to extend its support for businesses affected by the ongoing pandemic. Speaking to the House of Commons Treasury Committee, UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, gave evidence outlining the problems being faced by hospitality businesses hit by the nationwide lockdown. Nicholls highlighted the areas where government…
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