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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May- 2020 -11 MayPubs and Bars
Greene King launches team member support fund
Pub company and brewer Greene King has announced the launch of a support fund in partnership with the Licensed Trade Charity to help team members affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The ‘team member support fund’ will be set-up with an initial donation of £300,000 from Greene King. The funds have…
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7 MayPubs and Bars
April could have been ‘best for pub trade in a decade’, says BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed that April 2020 could have been the “best for the beer and pub trade in a decade”, if it weren’t for the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The trade association, which tracks sales of beer in pubs and shops, forecasts that 35…
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7 MayComment
The role food monitoring is playing in helping companies adapt to Covid-19
Adapt and pivot. These are two words that have grown in significance for the food and drink industry since the emergence of Covid-19. Bars, cafes and restaurants have closed their doors or shifted to pick-up or delivery-only services to adhere to social distancing rules. It is an uncertain time for…
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6 MayCoronavirus
Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022
A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the government’s latest efforts to “reduce uncertainty” for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic. Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…
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6 MayRestaurants
TGI Fridays launches click and collect service
TGI Fridays has today (6 May) launched its click and collect service amid the Covid-19 crisis. The new ordering system will allow guests to order their food and pay for it online then collect it from outside their nearest restaurant, where safety is a priority and social distancing measures are…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Costa reopens 29 stores for delivery and drive thru’s amid Covid-19 pandemic
Costa Coffee has reopened 12 stores for delivery alongside 17 drive-thru lanes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The news came as Costa made the decision to open two drive-thru lanes and two stores for delivery only in line with the latest government advice. Costa said whilst the drive-thrus are open to…
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4 MayCoronavirus
Beer sales collapsed 40% in March amid Covid-19 crisis, says BBPA
Pub beer sales collapsed by 40% in March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveal. The BBPA said the “stark decrease” shows the immediate and devastating impact that lockdown is having on the British pub. Last…
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4 MayComment
What should restaurants learn from the Great COVID Lockdown?
Celebrity chefs like Mark Hix and Gordon Ramsey have had to close some or all of their restaurants due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Other celeb chefs like David Chang say they are unsure if they can reopen after this is all over and predict a bleak future for the sector.…
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1 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality takes on insurers over business interruption claims
Leading hospitality businesses have launched a campaign to force the insurance sector to honour business interruption policies. Headed by Rob Atkinson, a hospitality lawyer from Black and White Hospitality, which operates the Marco Pierre White group of franchised restaurants and manages a portfolio of hotels across the UK, a crowdfunding…
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1 MayRestaurants
Five Guys reopens eight more UK sites for delivery and takeaway
Five Guys has reopened a further eight of its UK sites for takeaway and delivery amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Restaurants in Norwich, Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, Reading,York, Southampton and London’s Kensington reopened their doors this week, following government guidelines to temporarily close last month. It comes a week after the burger…
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