Covid-19
Our COVID-19 coverage captures the full impact of the pandemic on the UKโs 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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Jan- 2021 -11 JanuaryCatering Companies
Sodexo sees 27% total group revenue decline
Sodexo has reported that for the first quarter fiscal 2021, total group revenue declined 27% to โฌ4.4bn (ยฃ3.2bn) from โฌ6.07bn (ยฃ4.5bn) for the same period last year, attributed to the impact of Covid-19. Founded by Pierre Bellon in 1966, the company operates in 64 countries and serves 100 million consumers…
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11 JanuaryCoronavirus
Pandemic costs D&D London ยฃ2.5m a month, owner warns
Des Gunewardena, the owner of restaurant group D&D London, has written to the government calling for greater support ahead of todayโs (11 January) parliamentary debate on the hospitality industry. In a letter addressed to chancellor Rishi Sunak, Gunewardena revealed that Covid-19 is costing D&D London ยฃ2.5m per month of closure.…
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8 JanuaryPubs and Bars
Marston’s Q1 trading ‘materially disrupted’ amid festive sales slump
Marstonโs has announced that its trading in the first quarter of this year was โmaterially disruptedโ due to continuous Covid-19 restrictions. In its latest update, the pub chain revealed total revenues came in at ยฃ54m over the three-month period, compared with sales in 2019 of ยฃ1.17bn. With pubs remaining closed…
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7 JanuaryNews
The Pony and Trap owners to open new Bristol restaurant
Josh Eggleton, owner of The Pony and Trap gastropub has announced the opening of a second restaurant in South Bristol.ย According to ITV News, the new venue entitled The Pony North Street will open in Bedminster, with an official date for its launch unconfirmed.ย Since the outbreak of Covid-19, The…
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7 JanuaryCoronavirus
Northern Irelandโs wet pubs receive ยฃ10m support package
Northern Irelandโs economy minister, Diane Dodds has announced a ยฃ10.6m relief fund for โwet barsโ that lost out due to Covid-19 restrictions in the summer months. The support is aimed at the โhardest hitโ traditional pubs which do not serve food and were therefore forced to close between 4 July…
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7 JanuaryNews
Mitchells and Butlers succumbs to 67% Q1 sales drop
Mitchells and Butlers has announced a 67% decrease in first quarter sales for the 14 weeks ending 2 January 2021 which was attributed to the continuous impact of Covid-19 and the forced closures of all sites. The pub group has seen a steep reduction in sales and was heavily impacted…
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6 JanuaryFood and Drink
Greggs predicts first annual loss in 37 years
Greggs has forecast a ยฃ15m full-year financial loss due to Covid-19 restrictions closing its stores and reducing revenues. The bakery chainโs annual sales dropped by more than ยฃ300m year-on-year in 2020, resulting in the companyโs first annual loss since it listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1984. The companyโs…
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6 JanuaryNews
Flight Club eyes Bristol opening
Flight Club, a darts-themed chain of bars, has applied for a premises license at Corn Street, Bristol, according to Bristol Live. The chain already offers its mix of drinks and games in Birmingham, Manchester, and London, with a Leeds establishment also coming soon. With groups of up to 20 allowed…
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5 JanuaryCoronavirus
Chancellor unveils ยฃ4.6bn in new lockdown grants
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to ยฃ9,000, the chancellor has announced. The news comes after the prime ministerโs announcement that businesses will be closed until at least February half-term in order to help control the spread of Covid-19. This…
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5 JanuaryCoronavirus
UKH offers industry assistance for vaccine roll-out
UKHospitality has pledged to assist the government in the roll-out of vaccines, following the news that Covid-19 restrictions will be tightening further. Yesterday (4 January), Boris Johnson announced England will return to lockdown level restrictions until, at least, the middle of February. Similar restrictions are also now in place in…
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