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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Mar- 2020 -24 MarchBusiness
Contactless spending limit to rise to £45
Barclaycard has announced it will be rolling out the deployment of a new £45 contactless limit across UK retailers from 1 April 2020. The payments provider, which enables almost half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, said that the increased threshold would “help to prevent” the spread of…
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24 MarchCafes and Coffee Shops
Caffè Nero to close all sites temporarily
Caffè Nero has said all of its stores will close temporarily by the evening of Wednesday 25 March until further notice, amid the Covid-19 outbreak sweeping the UK. The chain said that in the face of this “unprecedented challenge” it’s priority now is to “ensure the safety and wellbeing” of…
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24 MarchCafes and Coffee Shops
Tim Horton announces temporary closures to all UK sites amid Covid-19 virus outbreak
Coffee chain Tim Hortons has announced temporary closures at its UK restaurants amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak. The chain, which released a statement on social media confirmed it will close all 25 of its stores by midnight today (24 March). The statement read: “At Tim Hortons, our priority is the…
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24 MarchBusiness Bites
The furloughs and loans are useless to small businesses
The small business community has been watching with great hope to see if the government will introduce measures that are useful for them to survive this period. Alas, those announced are absolutely useless for small companies, which make up an extremely significant portion of the UK economy. Coronavirus Business Interruption…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Deliveroo announces M&S partnership
Deliveroo has announced it will begin delivering a range of Marks and Spencer groceries to those who are self-isolating at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. The takeaway delivery service signed a deal with Marks and Spencers that will now enable them to deliver essential items to families from participating stores…
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24 MarchCoronavirus
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Advice for Employers
Key points include: – Furloughed workers should not undertake any work for the company, including answering calls or emails – JRS should not interrupt an employees’ continuity of service – Annual leave will continue to accrue – Grants should be structured so no PAYE tax or national insurance contributions are due…
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24 MarchAdvice
Coping with coronavirus in catering
My name is Ren. My catering company, Rens Kitchen, has been trading 12 years now, specialising in bespoke weddings. The best part about my job has always been the personal bonds my team and I create with our couples over the whole planning process, and by the wedding day we…
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23 MarchCafes and Coffee Shops
Krispy Kreme UK and Ireland closes sites temporarily amid Covid-19 outbreak
Krispy Kreme has announced the temporary closure of all its UK and Ireland stores amid the recent Covid-19 virus outbreak. In a recent statement, CEO Richard Cheshire said the company took the “difficult decision” to close all its stores from 6pm today (Monday 23 March 2020) for “a little while.”…
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23 MarchCoronavirus
Subway to close all UK sites from today
Subway stores across the UK are set to close their doors at 5pm today (23 March). News of the closure closely follows announcements from McDonald’s, Nando’s and Costa, that they have all ceased trading amid the continued coronavirus pandemic. In a statement on its social media, Subway said: “We want…
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23 MarchRestaurants
Shropshire brasserie forced to cancel community food service after supplies stolen
The owners of a hotel and brasserie in Shropshire have said they are “devastated” after about £1,200 worth of food has been stolen, which was being planned to start a community food delivery service during the Coronavirus crisis. The Old Vicarage at Worfield, near Bridgnorth, was broken into on Friday…
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