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 -3 NovemberGovernment
Minister for Hospitality petition gains over 37,000 signatures
A petition calling for the Government to create a minister for hospitality has gathered 37,700 signatures since its creation. The online petition, made in reaction to the current Covid-19 restrictions and upcoming lockdown, asks for a dedicated minister who would liaise with industry representatives. Currently, the UK hospitality industry creates…
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3 NovemberBusiness
Burger King calls on public to support McDonald’s
Burger King is urging the UK public to order from McDonalds, as well as other restaurant chains, in a show of support ahead of the country’s second Covid-19 lockdown. The burger chain is encouraging people to order food how they can during the lockdown, whether it be drive-through or takeaway,…
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3 NovemberFood and Drink
Deliveroo pledges free meals to NHS workers
Deliveroo has relaunched its ‘Supporting the NHS’ campaign, with a new commitment to deliver “hundreds of thousands” free, hot meals to NHS frontline staff. Deliveroo said it “pledged” to donate hot meals to the NHS from Pizza Hut, Rosa’s Thai Cafe and other independent restaurants who will donate 500 meals…
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2 NovemberNews
Tasty reports £11m loss
Tasty, a restaurant group that owns Wildwood and Dim T, has reported a loss of £11m for the six month period ending 28 June. According to the company’s interim report, Covid-19 restrictions caused total sales to fall 59% from £21.1m to £8.7m. All of the firm’s sites closed from 24…
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2 NovemberPubs and Bars
Brighton Pier Group revenue falls 29.4%
The Brighton Pier Group has reported a 29.4% decrease in revenue in its final financial results for this year to £22.6m. The group, which owns and operates Brighton Place Pier and 12 bars nationwide, said the prolonged closures due to lockdown resulted in “impairments to goodwill, property, plant and equipment…
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Oct- 2020 -30 OctoberCoronavirus
Gordon Ramsay opens new restaurant amid calls to ‘kick-start’ economy
Gordon Ramsay has taken to Twitter to announce the opening of a new Street Pizza venue in Southwark on 5 November, as he tells followers the industry must “bounce back” from Covid-19. In a video posted on the chef’s social media site, he said: “You may think it’s crazy opening a…
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30 OctoberFood and Drink
Pizza Express to axe a further 1,300 jobs
Pizza Express will reportedly cut 1,300 additional jobs across its 370 UK restaurants attributed to poor sales and the continued impact of Covid-19, according to the BBC. The losses come weeks after the firm launched a CVA bid that proposed 1,100 jobs would be cut and 73 restaurants close. The…
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29 OctoberCoronavirus
G-A-Y 10pm curfew battle placed on hold
The legal challenge against the Government’s 10pm curfew on hospitality launched by the owner of the G-A-Y nightclub has been placed on hold after the court refused permission for the case to move forward. In a statement posted to Twitter, owner Jeremy Joseph revealed that the decision was made by…
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29 OctoberNews
The Thompson’s Bell pub reopens amid £275K revamp
The Thompson’s Bell pub in Walmer has reopened its doors to the public following a £275K refurbishment by Star Pubs and Bars The pub which has been shut since 23 February, was originally due to open in early April following a funding package by Star Pubs and Bars and new…
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29 OctoberCoronavirus
Only 1% of hospitality venues report test and trace incidences
Only 1% of pubs, restaurant and hospitality venues report test and trace incidences, according to leading trade associations. A survey of members from UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and the British Beer & Pub Association, with respondents operating over 22,500 outlets across the UK, said they collectively only reported…
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