Covid-19

Our COVID-19 coverage captures the full impact of the pandemic on the UK’s foodservice and hospitality sector, from lockdown trading restrictions and government support schemes to recovery planning, operational adaptations, and long-term business implications. This includes essential reporting for restaurant operators, pub landlords, caterers, chefs, and F&B directors navigating one of the most disruptive periods in industry history.

Apr- 2021 -

26 April

Features

Refugee to rising restaurant star

“I arrived in England on the back of a lorry,” says Sohail Ahmad as he reflects on his journey to the UK. His delivery may come across as blunt, but this is the best way the upcoming restaurateur and boxer can describe an experience that many adults would be unable…
Read More »
20 April

Government

Outdoor hospitality in Wales to reopen on 26 April

Outdoor hospitality in Wales will be allowed to reopen from Monday 26 April, the Welsh government has confirmed. It comes as first minister Mark Drakeford said Covid-19 cases in the area continue to fall – with officials also allowing for six people from different households to mix outside from 24…
Read More »
19 April

Advice

Gourmet on-demand: The expanding delivery app market

Before the pandemic struck, businesses were lurching towards a new on-demand world, with rising apps making all manner of services available at the click-of-a-button. This was undoubtedly accelerated by Covid-19, as people sheltered at home and businesses looked for ways to adapt and continue to function despite the confines of…
Read More »
19 April

Trade Associations

UKH Cymru urges Welsh gov to ‘bring forward’ indoor reopening

UKHospitality Cymru (UKHC) is calling for the Welsh government to “bring forward” the date for the reopening of indoor hospitality in the country. The trade association is calling for the reopening of Wales’ hospitality sector to at least align with England and Scotland’s commitment to opening doors on 17 May.…
Read More »
15 April

Government

Gov set to consult on mandatory calorie labelling of alcohol

The government is reportedly set to launch a consultation into the mandatory calorie labelling of alcoholic beverages. According to a report in The Sun, the government is drawing up plans to require pub chains with more than 250 staff to display calorie information on menus or pump labels. Following a…
Read More »
14 April

Coronavirus

Hospitality figures protest Covid-19 passports

Over 60 restaurant, nightclub operators and other hospitality figures have reportedly told Boris Johnson that they will not force customers to show Covid passports. According to The Telegraph, the opposers have written to the PM to show their disapproval of the Covid certification being used in hospitality settings. It is…
Read More »
9 April

Awards & Events

NCOTY 2021 opens for entries

Submissions for the National Chef of the Year 2021 (NCOTY) have opened, with contenders being asked to tell their story of the 2020 pandemic through food. The competition is being hosted by the Craft Guild of Chefs, and the judging panel features prominent figures in the industry such as British…
Read More »
9 April

Government

Gov calls for evidence on Covid commercial rent debts

The government has called for evidence regarding the current state and progress of commercial rent debts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Hospitality groups, such as UKHospitality (UKH), have praised the government’s move as an attempt to address issues relating to commercial rent debts for businesses within the sector.…
Read More »
8 April

Restaurants

Tasty swings to £12.7m FY20 loss

Tasty, the casual dining owner and operator, has swung to a loss after tax of £12.7m for the year ended 27 December 2020, following profits of £300,000 the previous year. The group’s revenue for the year was “significantly impacted by Covid-19 related restrictions”, declining 45.7% year-on-year to £24.2m. Currently, its…
Read More »
7 April

Government

High Court sets date for gov’s hospitality restrictions evidence

The government reportedly has until 16 April to file evidence on why indoor hospitality cannot open until 17 May, following a High Court judge ruling. According to Sky News, permission for the case to go to judicial review, and in turn be expedited, will also be made on the week…
Read More »