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.

  • Dec- 2020 -
    1 December
    Cafes and Coffee ShopsCaffe Nero snubs Issa brothers offer

    Caffe Nero snubs Issa brothers offer

    Caffe Nero has rejected a takeover offer from the billionaire Issa brothers, after the chain revealed its advisors received an “unsolicited non-binding offer”, from a third party late last night.   Yesterday speculation arose about the fate of the coffee chain, after Sky News broke a story about the brothers intention…

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  • Nov- 2020 -
    30 November
    Cafes and Coffee ShopsIssa brothers eye up Caffe Nero

    Issa brothers eye up Caffe Nero

    Mohsin and Zuber Issa, the owners of British petrol retailing company EG Group, are rumored to have proposed a takeover bid for struggling highstreet chain, Caffe Nero. According to Sky News, the offer comes hours before the brand is set to request approval from landlords to cut the price of…

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  • 30 November
    CoronavirusJD Wetherspoon boss slams ‘reckless’ government

    JD Wetherspoon boss slams ‘reckless’ government

    JD Wetherspoon chairman, Tim Martin has hit out at the latest tier system, arguing that the government has “effectively closed all pubs”. In a letter addressed to UK MP’s Martin has said “it is a fallacy” that pubs will reopen on Wednesday 2 December, adding that this is the first…

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  • 30 November
    CoronavirusCovid impact stronger on UK coastal hospitality, APPG finds

    Covid impact stronger on UK coastal hospitality, APPG finds

    The impact of Covid-19 will be more pronounced on the UK’s coastal and lakeside regions because of their dependence on hospitality and tourism, a new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for hospitality and tourism finds. The research, which aims to highlight the damage the pandemic has had on…

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  • 27 November
    CoronavirusFullers swings to £22m pre-tax loss

    Fullers swings to £22m pre-tax loss

    Pub chain Fullers has reported a £22.2m pre tax loss from the six months ending in September, with chief executive Simon Emeny adding it will be a “tough winter” for the company.  In the businesses financial results for the 26 weeks to 26 September 2020 it revealed it had made…

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  • 26 November
    BusinessHospitality businesses claim £849m through EOTHO

    Hospitality businesses claim £849m through EOTHO

    Hospitality businesses claimed £849m through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme (EOTHO) providing discounts for over 160 million meals in August, new government figures show.  According to HMRC, over 52,000 businesses registered for the scheme and 49,000 of these had made a claim for the scheme by 30 September.…

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  • 24 November
    Catering CompaniesCompass profit plummets 82% in full-year results

    Compass profit plummets 82% in full-year results

    Compass has reported that operating profit plummeted 82% to £294m in the year ended 30 September, down from a profit of £1.6bn reported the year before. The catering company also saw revenue fall by 19.8% to £19.9bn due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, as well as resulting lockdown restrictions…

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  • 23 November
    CoronavirusThe Three Chimneys shutters for remainder of 2020

    The Three Chimneys shutters for remainder of 2020

    Isle of Skye restaurant, The Three Chimneys, is closing its doors until 2021 on 25 November, as Scottish travel restrictions and rulings make it “impossible” to continue trading.  Owner Gordon Campbell Gray made the announcement on the venue’s website, stating that “getting on top” of the spread of Covid-19 is…

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  • 20 November
    Food and DrinkConsumer spending set to fall by 14.9%

    Consumer spending set to fall by 14.9%

    Total UK consumer spending is expected to fall by 14.9% to £183.6bn this year in light of Covid-19-induced lockdowns, according to new research from Mintel. The spending drop is equivalent to £6,600 per household, with the biggest decreases occurring in transport (£55.1bn), foodservices (£44.3bn) and holiday industries (£40.7bn). Consumer spending…

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  • 20 November
    CoronavirusTiers three and four could provide losses for 95% of Scottish hospitality

    Tiers three and four could provide losses for 95% of Scottish hospitality

    The placement of 32 local areas into tougher Covid-19 restrictions could lead to vast closures for pubs and hospitality firms across Scotland, according to new research. A report published by UKHospitality Scotland, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, and the British Institute of Innkeeping has found that 95% of the…

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