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.

  • Mar- 2021 -
    26 March
    Trade Associations
    UKH appoints new Scottish executive director

    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
    CoronavirusHospitality urged to register for free workplace Covid testing

    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

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

    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
    BusinessMayor of London to invest £6m into hospitality reopening

    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 BarsStonegate suffers £746m loss due to Covid-19

    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
    RestaurantsPizza Express to reopen 118 restaurant this April

    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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  • 12 March
    RestaurantsJollibee invests £30m to grow UK presence

    Jollibee invests £30m to grow UK presence

    Asian inspired fast-food restaurant Jollibee has announced it is investing £30m into growing its brand in the UK.  The chain, which was originally founded in the Philippines, is set to open a new flagship restaurant in Leicester Square this May. This will be followed by two more store launches in…

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  • 11 March
    Trade Associations
    Gov confirms lease forfeiture moratorium extension

    Gov confirms lease forfeiture moratorium extension

    The government has announced another extension of the lease forfeiture moratorium, in a boon for the hospitality industry. Robert Jenrick, the house secretary, confirmed protections that prevent landlords from repossessing commercial premises, if businesses are unable to to pay rent due to Covid-19, will now expire in June. Originally the…

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  • 10 March
    RestaurantsThe Restaurant Group to raise £715m to offset Covid-19 impact

    The Restaurant Group to raise £715m to offset Covid-19 impact

    The Restaurant Group (TGR) has announced it plans to raise £175m in a move which will aim to enhance liquidity, accelerate deleveraging and support selective growth as the company continues to struggle with the ripple effects of Covid-19. The plans mark the end of the group’s “deep restructuring” programme and…

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