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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Nov- 2020 -12 NovemberFood and Drink
Casual Dining show postponed until September 2021
The Casual Dining trade show, which was set to take place in March next year, has been postponed amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and government restrictions. The event, which is dedicated to the casual dining sector, will now take place between 23-24 September 2021 at ExCeL London, its organiser Diversified…
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11 NovemberCoronavirus
JD Wetherspoon reports 27.6% sale decrease
JD Wetherspoon chairman, Tim Martin has labelled the government’s latest hospitality restrictions “baffling and confusing”, as the company reports a like-for-like sales decrease of 27.6%. For the 15 weeks to 8 November 2020 the pub chain reported that sales in October were “significantly lower” than previous months, following the imposition…
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10 NovemberCoronavirus
Employment stats ‘reinforce need for targeted support’, says UKH
The release of ONS employment figures “highlights the scale of the crisis” currently being faced by hospitality businesses and emphasises the need for additional support for the sector, according to UKHospitality. The figures showed that a record 314,000 people lost their job in the three months to September as the…
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10 NovemberCoronavirus
Roux’s Waterside Inn to remain closed until 2021
The three Michelin star Waterside Inn restaurant in Bray will remain closed until 8 January 2021, as owner chef Alain Roux deems its re-opening “financially unfeasible”. Following the government’s latest ruling, the Waterside Inn closed on 5 November 2020, however the chef announced on Instagram he would extend this break…
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10 NovemberNews
The City Pub Group appoints new COO
The City Pub Group has announced the appointment of Toby Smith as COO of the company, a newly created role which will begin with immediate effect. Smith brings with him 25 years of experience in UK hospitality, having previously held CEO roles at Stonegate Pub Company, Novus Leisure and Town…
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9 NovemberCoronavirus
Pfizer reveals Covid-19 vaccine candidate is 90% effective
A successful Covid-19 vaccine is a step closer after Pfizer/Biontech revealed its vaccine candidate is 90% effective, according to its first interim analysis. The findings, which are well above the 50% effectiveness for a vaccine to be approved, comes following a clinical trial which involved over 43,000 people. Some 42%…
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6 NovemberCoronavirus
Two Southampton hospitality venues fined for Covid breaches
Indian restaurant, Kuti’s and the Jolly Roger pub in Southampton both face fines of £1000 for breaching Covid-19 safety laws. The fixed penalty notices were issued on the same night, 24 October after police in the area received a number of calls about the non-compliance in the venues. The Jolly Roger,…
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4 NovemberNews
Camino co-founders secure rescue deal
Camino, a Spanish tapas restaurant and bar group, has been acquired out of administration by its former founders through a newly created holding company, saving 77 jobs in the process. Camino Trading Limited was recently created by Camino co-founders Nigel Foster and Richard Bigg, who now own the entirety of…
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4 NovemberCoronavirus
Zizzi’s in Bristol forced to close after alleged Covid-19 breach
A Zizzi restaurant near Bristol was forced to close by police as the authorities investigated an alleged report that staff were ordered to come into work while awaiting coronavirus test results. According to the Guardian, the chain restaurant in Clifton village closed on Thursday, 29 October after staff reported the…
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3 NovemberCoronavirus
JD Wetherspoon to sell 99p pints ahead of lockdown
JD Wetherspoon has announced it will sell pints of its ale for 99p in a bid to clear stock before England enters into a second national lockdown on Thursday 5 November. According to the Guardian, this is the pub chain’s second time introducing price cuts on its products, following on…
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