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.

Aug- 2020 -

6 August

Restaurants

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 August

Food 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 July

Restaurants

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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31 July

Beverages

BBPA repeats call for government to cut VAT on beer in pubs

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the UK government to extend its VAT cut on food in pubs to include beer as well. The trade association has made the plea as the European Commission confirmed that within the EU’s VAT Directives, Member States can apply targeted reductions…
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31 July

Coronavirus

Getting your hospitality businesses in touch with the low touch economy

After months of difficulty, uncertainty, and a precarious balancing act at the edge of business survival, the UK’s hospitality sector may finally be seeing the sun break through the storm clouds. Chancellor Rishi Sunak brought welcome news for the suffering sector with a VAT cut for hotels, restaurants, and other…
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30 July

Restaurants

Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant saved amid 25% rent reduction

The Rick Stein Marlborough restaurant has been saved from closure after the landlord came forward and agreed a 25% reduction in rent to save the business. In June 2020, it was announced that the restaurant would be forced to close its doors permanently, due to the increased financial strain during…
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30 July

Food and Drink

Deliveroo launches Table Service tool

Deliveroo has announced a new targeted support package to help pubs and bars reopen safely with the launch of its contactless dine-in tool – ‘TableService’. Deliveroo is the first major UK platform to introduce Table Service, which allows customers to order via the Deliveroo app in pubs, bars and restaurants,…
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29 July

Cafes and Coffee Shops

Starbucks sales slump amid Covid-19

Starbucks has announced that global comparable store sales plummeted 40% in the quarter ended 28 June, driven by a 51% decrease in comparable transactions, though partially offset by a 23% increase in the average ticket. Consolidated net revenues slumped by 38% to $4.2bn (£3.24bn) against the prior year, primarily due…
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29 July

Coronavirus

Bermondsey’s Loyal Tavern to permanently close

Chef Tom Cencil has announced the permanent closure of Bermondsey-based restaurant and bar Loyal Tavern. In an Instagram post, Cencil attributed the closure as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said: “It’s with a broken heart and a decision that I thought I would never have to take,…
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27 July

Coronavirus

Mandatory calorie labelling ‘slap in the face’ to hospitality

UKHospitality CEO, Kate Nicholls, has warned the costs of the implementation of mandatory calorie labelling on menus will be a “slap in the face” for hospitality, after the government revealed a series of measures to target obesity. The measures form part of the government’s new obesity strategy to get the…
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