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 -

14 July

Pubs and Bars

Brewhouse & Kitchen revenues rise 2.9% during first week of reopening

Brewhouse and Kitchen – the 22 site national brewpub group – has reported 2.9% like-for-like sales growth in its first week trading post the Covid-19 lockdown. The group said it attributes the “strong start” to a “measured and gradual” approach to the reopening of its brewpubs, the “considerable” amount of…
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13 July

Coronavirus

Businesses must remain Covid-secure, warns HSE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that they must ensure they are Covid-secure as lockdown measures ease across the UK. According to the authority, inspectors will be “out and about”, spot-checking employers that they are complying with health and safety law. HSE defines “Covid-secure” as being “adaptable…
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13 July

Coronavirus

Hospitality Action launches ‘Invisible Chips’ campaign

Hospitality Action has launched a new fundraising campaign in a bid to “harness the UK’s goodwill and affection” for the hospitality industry. The ‘Invisible Chips’ campaign allows customers to show their support for the industry , and participating venues will be asked to add Invisible Chips to their menu, priced…
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13 July

Coronavirus

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

Coronavirus

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

Coronavirus

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 Distilleries

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

Coronavirus

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

Coronavirus

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

Coronavirus

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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