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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Dec- 2020 -8 DecemberRestaurants
Barburrito secures future with sale to co-founders
Barburrito, the Mexican eatery, has secured its future through an administration sale securing new investment in the business. Barburrito chairman Graham Turner leads a new investment in the business, alongside other private investors, backing the existing management team of Morgan Davies, founder and CEO and Steve Herring, finance director. The…
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Nov- 2020 -24 November
Leon mulls CVA proposal
Leon is reportedly exploring a CVA proposal in a bid to “preserve” its future amid the pandemic, Sky News has reported. The plans, which are at an early stage, would reportedly include asking property-owners for permanent rent cuts. The consultancy firm Quantuma was appointed by the chain in June to…
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19 NovemberFood and Drink
Wigton takeaway ordered to close following regulations breach
A takeaway site in Wigton has been ordered to temporarily close after it was found to have breached coronavirus regulations. Its owners have also faced a subsequent fine following the breach. Cumbria County Council is now urging anyone who visited Wigton’s Shuhag Restaurant between Monday 9 November and Tuesday 18…
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18 NovemberCoronavirus
Lack of progress shows ‘hospitality not the cause’, says SHG
Negative or slow trends in the battle against coronavirus are proving that Scotland’s pubs, restaurants and hotels are not the cause of the problem, according to the Scottish Hospitality Group. The hospitality group, which represents businesses including The DRG Group, Signature Pubs and G1 Group, made the comments following Nicola…
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17 NovemberCoronavirus
Covid-19 tiered restrictions under government review
Robert Jenrick, the UK housing secretary, has announced the pre-lockdown three-tier lockdown system is under government review. A return to an updated tiered system when the second lockdown ends in England on 2 December looks likely, as the government aims for “greater consistency” this time around. Speaking on BBC Breakfast,…
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13 NovemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Caffe Nero launches CVA proposal
Caffe Nero has launched a CVA proposal, in which it will ask landlords to cut costs as the ongoing impact of Coronavirus take its toll on the coffee chain. The company which employs 6000 people said it was undertaking the proposal to “better manage” its fixed costs moving forward in…
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10 NovemberCoronavirus
Roux’s Waterside Inn to remain closed until 2021
The three Michelin star Waterside Inn restaurant in Bray will remain closed until 8 January 2021, as owner chef Alain Roux deems its re-opening “financially unfeasible”. Following the government’s latest ruling, the Waterside Inn closed on 5 November 2020, however the chef announced on Instagram he would extend this break…
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10 NovemberCoronavirus
The Coronavirus Diaries: Richard Hills, owner of Tokyo Diner
At Tokyo Diner, being located in the heart of London’s Chinatown, we (alongside most other restaurants in the area) started to feel the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry as early as January when people began avoiding the area. Regardless of what the Government was announcing, customers were voting…
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6 NovemberCoronavirus
Two Southampton hospitality venues fined for Covid breaches
Indian restaurant, Kuti’s and the Jolly Roger pub in Southampton both face fines of £1000 for breaching Covid-19 safety laws. The fixed penalty notices were issued on the same night, 24 October after police in the area received a number of calls about the non-compliance in the venues. The Jolly Roger,…
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5 NovemberBusiness
Do & Co to axe over a 1,000 jobs
The Unite union has claimed more than 1,000 catering jobs at Do & Co, Heathrow’s largest caterer, are at risk. The union said the catering company, which serves British Airways, is making 1,068 staff redundant, bringing its total to 1,377 job losses, since the pandemic started. Just 507 staff will…
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