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.

  • Jul- 2020 -
    13 July
    CoronavirusDelayed Saffron Summer restaurant to finally open

    Delayed Saffron Summer restaurant to finally open

    Saffron Summer, a sister restaurant to the eponymous Indian fine dining restaurant in Chessington, is to open in Reigate in Surrey tomorrow (14 July). The restaurant which occupies the site of the former Clove restaurant at 15 Church Street in Reigate, had originally been due to open in March, before…

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  • 10 July
    CoronavirusOakman Inns appoints new CEO and chair as sales slide 17%

    Oakman Inns appoints new CEO and chair as sales slide 17%

    Oakman Inns has announced a series of board changes including the appointment of Dermot King as chief executive, also revealing that FY sales fell by 17% due to Covid-19. Prior to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Oakman revealed it was “trading well” with LFL sales up 4.3% year to…

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  • 9 July
    CoronavirusBrighton’s The Fix to permanently close

    Brighton’s The Fix to permanently close

    Brighton-based cocktail bar The Fix, within Artist Residence hotel has announced its permanent closure. Chef Dan Kennedy confirmed the closure via an Instagram post, which said: “Sad news unfortunately. We won’t be returning. “Covid-19 has hit our industry hard and made it too difficult for us to now run this…

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  • 8 July
    Breweries and DistilleriesBBPA urges Sunak to cut VAT and business rates

    BBPA urges Sunak to cut VAT and business rates

    The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has uged Rishi Sunak to cut VAT, business rates and beer for brewers and pub businesses as they begin their “long and slow road to recovery after lockdown”. The trade association said its sector could, with the right support, help drive the economic…

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  • 6 July
    CoronavirusPret set to slash 1,000 jobs and shutter 30 stores

    Pret set to slash 1,000 jobs and shutter 30 stores

    Pret a Manger is reportedly set to slash almost 1,000 staff roles and shutter 30 of its 450 UK stores amid spiralling sales. According to a report by the Financial Times, Pret’s CEO, Pano Christou, said today (6 July) that the chain is facing a “significant restructuring of the business”,…

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  • 6 July
    CoronavirusFreak Scene Soho to close permanently

    Freak Scene Soho to close permanently

    Pan-Asian restaurant Freak Scene in London’s Soho has announced its permanent closure post-lockdown. In an Instagram post, founder Scott Hallsworth said: “Freak Scene in Soho will not be reopening.  “A combination of expensive real estate, greedy landlords and Covid-19 means we’ve now come to the end of chapter two of…

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  • 3 July
    CoronavirusPub and hospitality trade bodies publish track and trace guidance

    Pub and hospitality trade bodies publish track and trace guidance

    Leading trade associations representing the UK’s pub and hospitality sectors have issued joint guidance to businesses on supporting the Government’s track and trace customer registration scheme. The guidance has been jointly produced by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and UKHospitality.  It aims to…

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  • 3 July
    BeveragesBBPA urges Welsh government to confirm reopening dates

    BBPA urges Welsh government to confirm reopening dates

    The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), has urged the Welsh government to confirm when all pubs, rather than just those with outdoor space, will be able to reopen in Wales as “a matter of urgency”. The call comes as the Welsh government today announced that pub beer gardens will…

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  • 2 July
    RestaurantsShake Shack launches in Brighton through Deliveroo Editions

    Shake Shack launches in Brighton through Deliveroo Editions

    American burger chain Shake Shack has joined Deliveroo Editions in Brighton. Customers will be able to order meals from Shake Shack, all cooked and prepared at Deliveroo’s purpose built, delivery-only, super kitchen in Brighton. Items on the menu include the brand’s signature ShackBurger, crinkle cut fries and cheese sauce. Shake…

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  • 2 July
    NewsMitchells and Butlers swings to £121m loss

    Mitchells and Butlers swings to £121m loss

    Mitchells and Butlers sales fell by 12.4% to £1.04bn in the half-year ended 11 April, while adjusted operating profit was £108m, down from £151m the year prior. In light of the pandemic and consequent lockdown, the group fell to a pre-tax loss of £121m. The group also made an operating…

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