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.
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Feb- 2021 -12 FebruaryCoronavirus
Scottish hospitality has <1% infection rate among staff, says SHG
Members of the Scottish Hospitality Group, who employ over 6000 people, have revealed that there have been only 32 positive cases of Covid-19 among staff since July. The group said eight of those were between July and October – the period before the Scottish tier system was introduced and in…
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12 FebruaryBeverages
Wine Drinkers UK calls for excise duty cuts
Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) has written an open letter to the chancellor calling for a reduction to the UK’s wine tax. The group claims that wine has been singled out for excessive increases to wine duty, while other alcoholic beverages such as beer and spirits have seen successive duty freezes.…
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10 FebruaryCoronavirus
Hospitality sector attracted investment in 2020 despite Covid-19
BDO’s annual ‘Restaurants and Bars Report’ has found that despite the tough trading conditions, the restaurant, pub and bar sector continued to attract investment in 2020. According to the group, interest from investors was judged by the fact that the eventual loosening of lockdown restrictions and a successful vaccine roll-out…
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10 FebruaryPubs and Bars
Beer and pub leaders push for reopening date as sales plummet 56%
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and business leaders of the beer and pub industry are pushing the government to confirm a clear timeline and date for the reopening of the sector. It comes as it was revealed that trading restrictions and lockdowns caused sales of beer to plummet…
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10 FebruaryRestaurants
McDonald’s to reopen for walk-in takeaway
McDonald’s has announced plans to reopen the majority of its UK restaurants for walk-in takeaway on Monday 22 February. The fast-food giant told customers in an email that it would be trialling the reopening with enhanced safety measures in place at a select number of its establishments this week. While…
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10 FebruaryFeatures
David Berkley QC: Interruption and insurance in the age of Covid
As we emerge from one of the most tumultuous periods in living memory, it perhaps comes as little surprise that insurance has been thrust into the spotlight. The unprecedented impact of the pandemic has brought a renewed focus to the issue of business security and, more specifically, business interruption coverage. …
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8 FebruaryFeatures
How Britain’s top fast food chains coped during Covid
It has been a rough year for the hospitality industry. According to the CCA’s ‘Market Recovery Monitor’ for 2020, almost 10,000 licensed premises – including pubs, clubs and restaurants – closed permanently as a result of its impact and the continuous wave of lockdowns. This represents a net decline of…
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5 FebruaryRestaurants
Shake Shack partners with Deliveroo for ‘delivery only’ hub in Cambridge
Fast food restaurant Shake Shack has partnered with Deliveroo to open its first “delivery only” venue in Cambridge. The hub is set to open on 9 February and will operate from 12:00PM to 10:45PM, seven days a week. To celebrate the launch Deliveroo has offered customers free delivery until 14…
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3 FebruaryApps & Technology
Consumers eager to return to going out, CGA finds
Well over half (59%) of consumers said they “couldn’t wait” to go out again, while 51% hoped to get back to venues within a few weeks of reopening, according to the latest CGA Hospitality Consumer Forecast. CGA’s forecast was based on a survey of a nationally representative sample of 3,000…
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2 FebruaryBreweries and Distilleries
Marston’s ‘unanimously rejects’ Platinum takeover bid
Marston’s, the brewery, pub, and hotel operator, has rejected a takeover bid submitted by Platinum Equity, a US-based private equity investment firm. The proposal, which represented 105 pence per Marston’s share, was “unanimously rejected” on the grounds that it “very significantly undervalues” the brand. A regulatory statement from the firm…
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