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.

  • Feb- 2021 -
    24 February
    CoronavirusExtending 5% VAT cut ‘not enough’ to save hospitality, says tax pro

    Extending 5% VAT cut ‘not enough’ to save hospitality, says tax pro

    Sue Rathmell, indirect tax partner at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, has said the UK needs “bold and sweeping measures” to save the hospitality sector, calling on the government to do more than just extend 5% VAT measures.  The statement comes ahead of the March Budget, with many in the hospitality sector…

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  • 24 February
    CoronavirusChancellor expected to extend furlough until May

    Chancellor expected to extend furlough until May

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a further extension to the government’s furlough scheme until May in his Budget speech next week.  According to The Times, the move is expected after Boris Johnson promised not to “pull the rug out” from businesses when restrictions eventually begin to ease under…

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  • 22 February
    CoronavirusPM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown

    PM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown

    Prime minister Boris Johnson has set out his four-step “roadmap” to guide the nation out of lockdown “cautiously but irreversibly”, calling the plan a “one-way road to freedom”.  Step one will begin from 8 March, when all schools will be allowed to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed.…

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  • 22 February
    CoronavirusHospitality businesses reopen in Jersey

    Hospitality businesses reopen in Jersey

    Hospitality businesses in Jersey will reopen this Monday 22 February, with new restrictions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.   Under new government guidelines, seated food and drink services may resume in licensed and non-licensed premises; however, alcohol can only be served with a main meal. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks…

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  • 19 February
    GovernmentHospitality included in Sadiq Khan’s £5m investment proposal

    Hospitality included in Sadiq Khan’s £5m investment proposal

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a new proposal to invest £5m in the eventual reopening of central London, including a campaign which hopes to drive tourism back to “hard-hit” hospitality and retail venues.  The mayor said he wants domestic tourism to be a central focus in London’s drive…

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  • 18 February
    Pubs and BarsMeat-free dishes to become more ‘prominent’ on menus post-covid, says CGA

    Meat-free dishes to become more ‘prominent’ on menus post-covid, says CGA

    Consumers’ focus on health during the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to make vegetarian and vegan dishes more prominent on menus according to the CGA’s MealMetrics service. Drawing on £4bn of aggregated food till sales data from more than 7,000 pubs, bars and restaurants, the metric data was designed to help…

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  • 17 February
    CoronavirusReport claims hospitality ‘not significant area’ of Covid transmission

    Report claims hospitality ‘not significant area’ of Covid transmission

    A new report on the safe reopening of hospitality from analysts CGA, shows that businesses in the sector “were not significant areas of COVID transmission” in 2020 and argues they should be “central” to reopening plans in 2021. According to the study from the CGA, National Covid-19 cases do not…

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  • 16 February
    CoronavirusJD Wetherspoon boss calls for pubs to reopen alongside shops

    JD Wetherspoon boss calls for pubs to reopen alongside shops

    Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has said the pub industry is “on its knees” and that pubs across the UK need to reopen at the same time as non-essential shops to save the industry and associated jobs.  Martin, who oversees the operations of 872 pub venues in the UK, said the…

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  • 15 February
    CoronavirusBrighton Pier Group receives £1.4m payout from insurers

    Brighton Pier Group receives £1.4m payout from insurers

    The Brighton Pier Group has announced that to date, it has received interim payments from its insurers totalling £1.4m in respect of Covid-related losses. The group, which owns and operates Brighton Palace Pier as well as indoor mini-golf sites and premium bars, had previously lodged claims with its insurers for…

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  • 15 February
    CoronavirusDeliveroo calls for rerun of EOTHO scheme

    Deliveroo calls for rerun of EOTHO scheme

    Deliveroo and 300 restaurant groups have urged the government to reimplement the Eat Out to Help Out scheme (EOTHO) when the hospitality sector eventually reopens.  According to the delivery service, the 50% discount scheme which was first launched last August by chancellor Rishi Sunak would help support struggling restaurants that…

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