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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Jan- 2021 -15 JanuaryCoronavirus
Supreme Court sides with small firms in business interruption insurance case
The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA)’s business interruption insurance test case, with the court’s ruling in the favour of small firms potentially forcing insurers to pay out £1.2bn in CBI claims. Following the judgement, thousands of policyholders will now have their claims for…
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14 JanuaryCoronavirus
Closing Click & Collect could wipe £300m a month from UK takeaways
With a possible closure of Click & Collect takeaways being discussed at present as part of intensified Coronavirus protection measures, the NPD Group has warned this could wipe off over £300m a month to UK businesses offering the service. The market research company’s latest figures indicate that in the month…
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11 JanuaryPubs and Bars
37 pubs closed every month in 2020
Around 37 English and Welsh pubs closed every month in 2020, according to analysis of official government data by real estate adviser Altus Group. The research showed that the overall number of pubs in England and Wales, liable for business rates, including those left vacant and being offered to let,…
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8 JanuaryCoronavirus
Oakman CEO to return £250k grant if venues used for vaccinations
The chief executive of pub and restaurant group, Oakman Inns, Dermot King, is offering to forego the chancellor’s latest lockdown grant of up to £250,000 if he allows National Health Trusts to use Oakman Inns’ venues as vaccination centres. King who was appointed CEO of the company last August said…
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Dec- 2020 -21 DecemberComment
What lies ahead for independent restaurants?
Life as an independent restaurant operator has never seemed tougher, particularly for those living within the shackles of tier 3 and 4 restrictions. It’s hard not to look back with rose tinted glasses at a time when the biggest threat to independents was the onslaught of new chain concepts. Corporations…
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18 DecemberCoronavirus
UKH: Tier 3 expansion will bring hospitality ‘further heartbreak’
UKHospitality has warned the recently announced expansion of Tier 3 will “bring further despair” to struggling businesses across the hospitality sector. It comes as UK government officials yesterday (17 December) announced that the majority of the South East and East of England would enter Tier 3 this weekend, as coronavirus…
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17 DecemberCoronavirus
Furlough scheme extended until April 2021
The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages to employee’s pay, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed today (17 December). The government will also extend current government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes until the end of March. This includes…
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17 DecemberCoronavirus
Restrictions widen as millions enter Tier 3
UK government officials have announced that the majority of the South East and East of England will enter Tier 3 this weekend, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in many parts of the country. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the increased restrictions were necessary in order to control the…
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17 DecemberCoronavirus
Welsh hospitality businesses to close from 6pm on Christmas Day
All Welsh hospitality businesses will close from 6pm on Christmas Day, as the country moves into level four restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. In an announcement made on Wednesday (16 December) the First Minister, Mark Drakeford said there are now more than 2,100 people with coronavirus symptoms in…
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16 DecemberNews
Restaurants face increased food wastage in Tier 3
The new tiered restrictions in London, Essex and Hertfordshire could see millions of pounds worth of food and drinks get thrown away, according to The Guardian. Kate Nicholls, chief executive for UKHospitality, told the paper that as with previous short-notice lockdowns, the new tiered restrictions will cause a “glut of…
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