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.
-
Nov- 2020 -19 NovemberFood and Drink
Wigton takeaway ordered to close following regulations breach
A takeaway site in Wigton has been ordered to temporarily close after it was found to have breached coronavirus regulations. Its owners have also faced a subsequent fine following the breach. Cumbria County Council is now urging anyone who visited Wigton’s Shuhag Restaurant between Monday 9 November and Tuesday 18…
Read More » -
18 NovemberBusiness
Sacha Lord warns Manchester hospitality could take five years to recover
Greater Manchester’s evening hospitality economy could reportedly take “five years to recover” from Covid-19, according to the area’s night-time economic advisor Sacha Lord. According to the BBC, Lord said One in ten night-time businesses could permanently close in the area, and 80% of restaurants have reportedly planned on making redundancies.…
Read More » -
17 NovemberNews
Nottingham landlord license revoked amid Covid breaches
The landlord of the Queens Head in Kimberley, Nottingham has had their license removed and pub closed following a “catalogue of errors” including a breach of Covid-19 rules and antisocial behavior. In September the pub was served with a temporary banning after failing to comply with strict social distancing rules,…
Read More » -
17 NovemberCoronavirus
Covid-19 tiered restrictions under government review
Robert Jenrick, the UK housing secretary, has announced the pre-lockdown three-tier lockdown system is under government review. A return to an updated tiered system when the second lockdown ends in England on 2 December looks likely, as the government aims for “greater consistency” this time around. Speaking on BBC Breakfast,…
Read More » -
16 NovemberRestaurants
TGI Fridays to open new restaurant and bar chain 63rd + 1st
TGI Fridays UK is launching a new cocktail led bar and restaurant, named 63rd+1st, with the first venue set to open its doors in Cobham on 8 January 2021. Inspired by the original Fridays founded in 1965 in Manhattan, on the corner of 63rd Street and 1st Avenue, the company…
Read More » -
16 NovemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Greggs to make 800 job cuts
Greggs has announced plans to cut over 800 jobs from its UK sites, as a result of trading difficulties due to Covid-19. This month, chief executive Roger Whiteside issued a statement on the company employee information site revealing that recent weeks have been “particularly difficult” for the chain and the…
Read More » -
16 NovemberCatering Companies
Gategroup announces financial restructuring
Gategroup Holdings has announced that its shareholders, RRJ Capital and Temasek, and all bank lenders have reached a principle agreement to support a “comprehensive restructuring of the group’s financial indebtedness”. The catering company said the proposed transaction will reportedly provide the group with “significant new liquidity” to address the company’s…
Read More » -
13 NovemberBreweries and Distilleries
Whitbread to reduce number of redundancies
Hotel and restaurant company Whitbread has told The Times that it will reduce the number of redundancies at its hotels and restaurants. The owner of Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre said that redundancies will be “significantly less” than the 6,000 it announced in September. In a statement to The Times,…
Read More » -
13 NovemberCafes and Coffee Shops
Caffe Nero launches CVA proposal
Caffe Nero has launched a CVA proposal, in which it will ask landlords to cut costs as the ongoing impact of Coronavirus take its toll on the coffee chain. The company which employs 6000 people said it was undertaking the proposal to “better manage” its fixed costs moving forward in…
Read More » -
13 NovemberComment
How Covid-19 has changed the progression of FoodTech
No industry has escaped the wrath of COVID-19, but the hospitality sector has arguably faced the brunt of the virus’ shockwaves. If we are to focus on the silver lining, however, it is that cafés, bars and restaurants alike have been able to demonstrate their remarkable ingenuity as they…
Read More »
