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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Oct- 2020 -22 OctoberCoronavirus
Scotland extends Covid hospitality closures for extra week
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Covid-19 restrictions, which saw the closure of pubs and restaurants in Scotland’s central belt and a 6pm hospitality curfew elsewhere, are to be extended until 2 November. The Scottish government is set to publish a tiered system of restrictions tomorrow (23 October), similar…
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21 OctoberGovernment
Sadiq Khan calls for end to 10pm curfew
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for the 10pm curfew on hospitality establishments to be lifted in the city. Khan said there is no longer “justification” for forcing bars and restaurants to close early now the capital is under tier two restrictions, which bar households from mixing indoors. According…
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20 OctoberCoronavirus
Manchester moved into Tier three
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that Manchester will be placed into Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions, after talks between mayor Andy Burnham and the UK government collapsed. As a result of being placed under Tier 3, pubs and restaurants must close unless they are supplying substantial meals and outside household…
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19 OctoberCoronavirus
More than 750,000 hospitality jobs under threat without support
Over 750,000 jobs in the hospitality sector are under threat without government support, according to a survey carried out by leading trade associations. UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and the British Beer & Pub Association found 76% of respondents were loss making before the government’s tier lockdown system was…
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16 OctoberCoronavirus
Fat Duck restaurant shutters for two weeks amid Covid-19 cases
The Fat Duck restaurant has announced a two week voluntary closure after several of its staff members tested positive for coronavirus. According to the Guardian, the restaurant in Bray, Berkshire contacted customers who had intended to dine there that the venue had closed with “immediate effect.” The Heston Blumenthal-owned restaurant…
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13 OctoberBusiness
UK unemployment rises to 4.5%
The UK unemployment rate increased to 4.5% during the three months to August, the highest level in over three years. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the total number of unemployed increased by 138,000 to 1.58 million people. It comes as over 227,000 people…
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13 OctoberGovernment
Mitchells & Butlers begins redundancy talks with staff
Mitchells and Butlers has begun consulting with a number of its staff regarding redundancy payments as the company struggles with the fallout from Covid-19. According to the BBC, the chain which owns brands such as Harvester and All Bar One has not yet disclosed how many jobs are at risk,…
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9 OctoberGovernment
Hospitality sector demands ‘clarity’ amid closure rumours
Hospitality workers in the North of England are requesting clarity from UK government officials following news that restaurants and bars may have to close from Monday. According to Sky News, ministers are said to be still finalising a “traffic light system plan” where different areas of England with the highest…
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7 OctoberCoronavirus
Small restaurants slam Deliveroo over ‘unfair’ commission rates
Small restaurants are accusing Deliveroo of charging some larger, more well known eateries lower commission rates than locally owned chains. According to Sky News, independent partners of the delivery service believe that some big chains are paying half of the amount paid by those on the highest commission rates offered…
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6 OctoberCoronavirus
Chancellor defends EOTHO Scheme
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has defended promoting the return to UK bars and restaurants over the summer through the Eat Out To Help Out scheme. Speaking to Sky News, the chancellor diluted the link between his scheme and the spike in cases across the country as he stated people were “jumping…
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