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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Aug- 2020 -12 AugustCoronavirus
Manchester pubs flouting guidance, undercover report finds
Pubs and bars in a Manchester borough are ignoring Covid-19 guidance and potentially endangering customers, an undercover Sky News investigation has found. A team of undercover reporters posed as walk-in customers at a range of pubs and bars in a Greater Manchester suburb, and discovered the majority of sites were…
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12 AugustCoronavirus
UK in recession following 20% GDP slump
The UK economy has entered into a “technical recession” following a “record” fall in gross domestic product (GDP) during the second quarter of the year. According to the Office for National Statistics, GDP slumped by 20.4% between April and June 2020, compared with the 2.2% drop seen during Q1 2020…
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11 AugustTrade Associations
UKH calls for investigation into hospitality energy market
UKHospitality has written to the energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng calling on the Government and watchdog Ofgem to investigate unfair practices in the energy market. The trade body said it has been contacted by hospitality businesses with evidence that they are being “unfairly targeted” by energy firms. UKHospitality chief executive Kate…
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11 AugustCoronavirus
Domino’s welcomes ‘resilient’ performance despite profit hit
Domino’s UK and Ireland has welcomed a “resilient” UK and Ireland performance in its half-year results, with UK like-for-like sales up 4.8% in the period ended 28 June, 2020. In its second quarter, however, collection orders were down by 87% as this service was halted amid lockdown, though delivery orders…
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10 AugustBusiness
Pret A Manger reduces staff working hours
Embattled sandwich chain Pret A Manger has reduced the working hours of its staff in a bid to retain jobs. It comes as the group’s sales are currently down 65% compared with pre-Covid levels. In London sales are down 80%, where the challenges are reportedly most acute. It said that…
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10 AugustBeverages
The Great British Beer Festival goes virtual
The Great British Beer Festival, which usually takes place this week at Olympia in London, is making its virtual debut from 11-13 September 2020. For the first time ever, visitors to CAMRA’s beer event can purchase a ticket to a weekend of live beer tastings that will run from 2pm…
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7 AugustComment
The right menu for reducing bacterial transmission
Studies have shown that some of the ‘germiest’ things on a menu may literally be the menu itself! Indeed, a study* by Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona revealed that menus carried the most amount of germs, with an average count of 185,000 bacteria. He claimed that there are…
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6 AugustRestaurants
Franca Manca owner completes £2.25m equity raise
The owner of Franca Manca, Fulham Shore, has announced it completed a £2.25m equity raise and has also entered into a new £10.75m debt facility and agreed new terms for its existing £15m banking facilities. The group, which also owns the Real Greek Restaurants brand, said the funds have improved…
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5 AugustFood and Drink
Sir Stelios backs Deliveroo and Just Eat rival
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has backed a new food delivery service – Easyfood – which aims to rival giants Deliveroo and Just Eat. The entrepreneur has backed the launch of Easyfood app, which coincides with the launch of the governments Eat Out to Help out scheme, that will allow…
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Jul- 2020 -31 JulyRestaurants
The Box Kitchen & Bar to launch with head chef Nat Tallents
The Box Kitchen and Bar in Plymouth is set to open with MasterChef: The Professionals contestant and National Chef of the Year 2020 semi-finalist, Nat Tallents, set to be at the helm of the kitchen. Having postponed its original May 2020 opening date due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the new…
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