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 -

1 April

Coronavirus

Pubs closures will see sector lose £325m over Easter

The loss of beer sales from this Easter bank holiday weekend will result in the pub sector losing out on £325m in trade, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). With limited trading conditions still in place to limit the spread of Covid-19, the trade group has said…
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Mar- 2021 -

31 March

Food and Drink

Time Out Group set to launch £15m equity raise

Time Out Group is preparing to launch a £15m equity raise to assist the business’ return to “a stronger position” in the next financial year. The hospitality and media group’s finances have struggled over the past 12 months due to lockdowns resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The group posted a…
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30 March

Features

How does Jollibee hope to win over the UK fast-food market?

With over 1,000 McDonald’s and 900 KFC sites across Britain, any newcomer to the nation’s fast-food sector has a difficult task convincing hungry consumers, who are craving a quick and reliable fix to enter its premises. For Jollibee – a Filipino-originated fried chicken chain, headed by billionaire businessman Tony Tan…
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26 March

Trade Associations

UKH appoints new Scottish executive director

UKHospitality (UKH) has announced the appointment of Leon Thompson as its new executive director for Scotland. Thompson succeeds Willie MacLeod in the role, taking on the position after leading VisitScotland’s policy agenda over the last eight years. On his appointment, Thompson said: “I am very much looking forward to joining…
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24 March

Coronavirus

Hospitality urged to register for free workplace Covid testing

Trade associations are urging businesses in the hospitality industry to register for free workplace Covid-19 testing. The deadline to register for free rapid lateral flow tests, which will allow businesses to test employees twice a week, is 31 March 2021. With hospitality set to partially reopen in April, trade associations…
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23 March

Coronavirus

MPs call for Pubs Code reform

A group of MPs are calling on the government to amend The Pubs Code 2016 to address consequences for businesses resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by Tracy Brabin MP, the group is specifically requesting change regarding Regulation 7 of the code, which allows a tied establishment to seek a…
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23 March

Government

UKH calls for gov to look at ‘data not dates’ when lifting restrictions

UKHospitality (UKH) is urging the government to follow “data not dates” and loosen some of the restrictions slightly earlier than the current roadmap. According to the group, the continued success of the vaccination programme should allow for “hotels with self-contained rooms to be able to open alongside other self-contained accommodation…
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22 March

Business

Mayor of London to invest £6m into hospitality reopening

Sadiq Khan has announced a £6m investment to directly support the re-opening of London’s economy once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. The mayor revealed he will be investing £5m to support the eventual reopening of central London, which will include a new campaign to attract visitors and tourists back into the…
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19 March

Pubs and Bars

Stonegate suffers £746m loss due to Covid-19

Stonegate Pub Company has revealed it made a loss-before-tax of £746m for the full year ended 27 September 2020. The group, which is owned by TDR Capital, saw revenues fall 17.1% from £853m in FY 2019 to £707m. However, through its £1.27bn acquisition of Ei Group in March 2020, Stonegate…
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18 March

Restaurants

Pizza Express to reopen 118 restaurant this April

PizzaExpress has announced that after a three-month hospitality hiatus, it will be welcoming back customers from 12 April to 118 of its restaurants in England for outdoor dining. Last year, the group formally launched a CVA in a bid to reduce its restaurant estate and rental cost base following the…
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